Category: Nevin Manimala

Int J Med Robot. 2023 Feb 1:e2503. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2503. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to ascertain how accurately 3D models can be predicted from two-dimensional (2D) imaging utilising statistical shape modelling.

METHODS: A systematic search of published literature was conducted in September 2022. All papers which assessed the accuracy of 3D models predicted from 2D imaging utilising statistical shape models and which validated the models against the ground truth were eligible.

RESULTS: 2127 papers were screened and a total of 34 studies were included for final data extraction. The best overall achievable accuracy was 0.45 mm (root mean square error) and 0.16 mm (average error).

CONCLUSION: Statistical shape modelling can predict detailed 3D anatomical models from minimal 2D imaging. Future studies should report the intended application domain of the model, the level of accuracy required, the underlying demographics of subjects, and the method in which accuracy was calculated, with root mean square error recommended if appropriate. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36722297 | DOI:10.1002/rcs.2503

Expert Rev Neurother. 2023 Feb 1. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2174017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Headache disorders are a common cause of disability and reduced health-related quality of life globally. Growing evidence supports the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for chronic pain; however, a paucity of research specifically focuses on CBMPs’ efficacy and safety in headache disorders. This study aims to assess changes in validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients with headaches prescribed CBMPs and investigate the clinical safety in this population.

METHODS: A case series of the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was conducted. Primary outcomes were changes from baseline in PROMs (Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), EQ-5D-5L, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire and Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS)) at 1-, 3-, and 6-months follow-up. P-values<0.050 were deemed statistically significant.

RESULTS: 97 patients were identified for inclusion. Improvements in HIT-6, MIDAS, EQ-5D-5L and SQS were observed at 1-, 3-, and 6-months (p<0.005) follow-up. GAD-7 improved at 1- and 3-months (p<0.050). 17 (17.5%) patients experienced a total of 113 (116.5%) adverse events.Conclusion: Improvements in headache/migraine-specific PROMs and general health-related quality of life were associated with the initiation of CBMPs in patients with headache disorders. Cautious interpretation of results is necessary and randomized control trials are required to ascertain causality.

PMID:36722292 | DOI:10.1080/14737175.2023.2174017

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023 Jan 10;28(1):3. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2801003.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is one of the main by-products of beer industry, little used because of its high moisture making it difficult to transport and store. Mainly used as animal feed and for energy production, the agro-industrial waste have recently attracted attention as source of bioactive compounds, with potential applications in many sectors as food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food packaging. The present work focuses on BSG as potential source of valuable small-size bioactive compounds.

METHODS: Laboratory-made BSG was obtained by using four base malts for mashing. After drying, BSG was eco-friendly extracted with water and the extracts analyzed by untargeted ElectroSpray Ionization (ESI)-Mass Spectrometry (MS)/Mass Spectrometry (MS) (ESI-MS/MS) infusion experiments and by targeted High Performance Liquid Chromatography-PhotoDiodeArray-ElectroSpray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS) in Selected Ion Recording (SIR) mode analysis, to investigate the metabolic profile, the phenolic profile, the individual phenolic content, and tryptophan content. Aqueous extracts of malts and wort samples were also analyzed for a comparison. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test. An explorative analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was also carried out on malts, wort and threshes, in order to study correlation among samples and between samples and variables.

RESULTS: The untargeted ESI-MS/MS infusion experiments provided the mass spectral fingerprint of BSG, evidencing amino acids (γ-aminobutyric acid, proline, valine, threonine, leucine/isoleucine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine and arginine) and organic and inorganic acids (pyruvic, lactic, phosphoric, valerianic, malonic, 2-furoic, malic, citric and gluconic acids), besides sugars. γ-Aminobutyric acid and lactic acid resulted predominant among the others. The targeted HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS in SIR mode analysis provided the phenolic profile of the polar fraction of BSG, evidenced tryptophan as the main residual metabolite in BSG (62.33-75.35 μg/g dry BSG), and catechin (1.13-4.24 μg/g dry BSG) as the representative phenolic antioxidant of not pre-treated BSG samples. The chemometric analysis of the individual compounds content in BSG, malt and wort evidenced similarities and differences among the samples.

CONCLUSIONS: As main goal, the phytochemical characterization of BSG from base malts highlighted BSG as a potential source of small biomolecules, as tryptophan and catechin, besides γ-aminobutyric acid and lactic acid, opening to new perspectives of application for BSG. Strategies for their recovery are a future challenge. Moreover, ESI-MS/MS analysis was confirmed as a powerful tool for fast characterization of complex matrix. Last, results obtained by chemometric elaboration of data demonstrated the possibility to monitor a small number of molecules to ensure the quality of a final product.

PMID:36722277 | DOI:10.31083/j.fbl2801003

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023 Jan 18;28(1):18. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2801018.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: L-carnosine has been found to have multimodal activity.

AIM: The aim of this review was to find out the efficacy of L-carnosine in patients with age-related diseases.

METHODS: Clinical studies evaluated the effect of L-carnosine on cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders were searched in electronic bibliographic databases. The protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022314033). The revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials was used to assess all of the reports for risk of bias. RevMan 5.4 was used to conduct the meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Following the screening process, 14 papers were selected for systematic review, with 9 of them being qualified for meta-analysis. Many of the included studies showed that L-carnosine has potential therapeutic activity in age related diseases. Results from the meta-analysis showed that in diabetes mellitus, HbA1c [mean difference (MD) 95% CI = -1.25 (-2.49, -0.022); p = 0.05; p = 0.001; I2 = 85%] and fasting blood sugar (FBS) [MD 95% CI = -12.44 (-22.44, -2.44); p = 0.01; p = 0.40; I2 = 0%] and in neurodegenerative disorder, Wechsler Memory Scale Logical Memory 2 (WMS-LM2) [MD 95% CI = 1.34 (0.83, 1.85); p < 0.00001; p = 0.43; I2 = 0%], showed statistically significant difference, favoring the L-carnosine group over the control group. While in neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer ‘s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) [MD 95% CI = 0.98 (-1.55, -0.42); p = 0.0007; p = 0.86; I2 = 0%] and Back Depression Inventory (BDI) [MD 95% CI = -1.12 (-1.87, -0.37); p = 0.003; p = 0.73; I2 = 0%] showed statistically significant difference, favoring the control group over L-carnosine group.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical studies were conducted to manage chemotherapy induced toxicities and there are no clinical studies available for its anti-cancer use, and the current evidence does not support its use in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

PMID:36722274 | DOI:10.31083/j.fbl2801018

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023 Jan 10;28(1):7. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2801007.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Circulating levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) are elevated during cardiac stress and this could be a factor in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Herein, we studied the effects of AVP on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production and the role(s) of β-arrestin2-dependent signaling in murine heart.

METHODS: The levels of IL-1β mRNA and protein in adult rat cardiofibroblasts (ARCFs) was measured using quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. The activity of β-arrestin2 was manipulated using either pharmacologic inhibitors or through recombinant β-arrestin2 over-expression. These experiments were conducted to determine the roles of β-arrestin2 in the regulation of AVP-induced IL-1β and NLRP3 inflammasome production. The phosphorylation and activation of NF-κB induced by AVP was measured by immunoblotting. β-arrestin2 knockout (KO) mice were used to investigate whether β-arrestin2 mediated the AVP-induced production of IL-1β and NLRP3, as well as the phosphorylation of the NF-κB p65 subunitin mouse myocardium. Prism GraphPad software(version 8.0), was used for all statistical analyses.

RESULTS: AVP induced the expression of IL-1β in a time-dependent manner in ARCFs but not in cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARCMs). The inhibition of NF-κB with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid (PDTC) prevented the AVP-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB and production of IL-1β and NLRP3 in ARCFs. The deletion of β-arrestin2 blocked the phosphorylation of p65 and the expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β induced by AVP in both mouse hearts and in ARCFs.

CONCLUSIONS: AVP promotes IL-1β expression through β-arrestin2-mediated NF-κB signaling in murine heart.

PMID:36722263 | DOI:10.31083/j.fbl2801007

Glob Health Action. 2023 Dec 31;16(1):2147294. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2147294.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Social-emotional ability is important for overall health and wellbeing in early childhood. Recognizing preschool children in need of extra support, especially those living in unfavourable conditions, can have immediate positive effects on their health and benefit their wellbeing in the long-term.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are social inequalities in preschool children’s social-emotional problems, and whether inequalities differ between boys and girls.

METHOD: This study utilized repeated measures from cross-sectional population-based surveys of three-year old children (2014-2018). The final study population comprised of 9,099 children which was 61% of all the eligible children in Västerbotten County during the study period. The Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE) 36-month interval was used to measure children’s social-emotional ability. Social inequalities were studied with respect to parents’ income, education, and place of birth, for which data was obtained from Statistics Sweden. Multiple logistic and ordered regressions were used.

RESULTS: Among 3-year-olds, social-emotional problems were more common in the most vulnerable social groups, i.e. parents in the lowest income quintile (OR: 1.45, p < 0.001), parents with education not more than high school (OR: 1.51, p < 0.001), and both parents born outside Sweden (OR: 2.54, p < 0.001). Notably, there was a larger difference in social-emotional problems between the lowest and highest social categories for girls compared to boys. Higher odds of social-emotional problems were associated with boys not living with both parents and girls living in the areas of Skellefteå and Umeå, i.e. more populated geographical areas.

CONCLUSION: Already at 3-years of age social-emotional problems were more common in children with parents in the most vulnerable social groups. This does not fulfil the ambition of an equitable start in life for every child and might contribute to reproduction of social inequalities across generations.

PMID:36722260 | DOI:10.1080/16549716.2022.2147294

J Integr Neurosci. 2023 Jan 5;22(1):11. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2201011.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Camptocormia is one of the most common postural disorders of Parkinson’s disease (PD) which has limited treatment options. In this review, we summarize the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for camptocormia in PD.

METHODS: The PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and EMBASE databases (https://www.embase.com/) were searched for the terms “Parkinson Disease” and “camptocormia” in combination with “deep brain stimulation”. We then explored the efficacy of DBS for camptocormia by statistical analysis of the bending angle, the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS-III) and L-dopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), and by evaluating the prognosis after DBS.

RESULTS: Twenty articles that reported results for 152 patients were included in this review. These comprised 136 patients from 16 studies who underwent subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS), and 13 patients from 3 studies who underwent globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS). One study used both STN-DBS (2 patients) and GPi-DBS (one patient). After 3-21 months of follow-up, the mean bending angle during the Off-period was significantly reduced compared to pre-DBS (31.5 ± 21.4 vs. 53.6 ± 22.7, respectively; p < 0.0001). For the STN-DBS trials, the mean post-operative bending angles during both Off- and On-periods were significantly reduced compared to pre-operative (32.1 ± 22.7 vs. 55.4 ± 24.1, p = 0.0003; and 33.1 ± 21.5 vs. 43.7 ± 20.6, p = 0.0003, respectively). For GPi-DBS, the mean bending angle post-DBS during the Off-period was considerably lower than pre-DBS (28.5 ± 10.7 vs. 42.9 ± 9.9, p < 0.001). The decrease in bending angle after DBS was negatively correlated with the duration of camptocormia (R = – 0.433, p = 0.013), whereas positively associated with the pre-bending angle (R = 0.352, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: DBS is an effective treatment for camptocormia in PD. Patients in the early stage of camptocormia with more significant bending angle may benefit more from DBS.

PMID:36722246 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2201011

J Integr Neurosci. 2023 Jan 16;22(1):18. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2201018.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with characteristic clinical subtypes and prognosis. In addition, nigrostriatal pathway, the most vulnerable anatomical area in PD, formed neuronal network interplaying with cortical and subcortical structures, and which may cause PD clinical phenotype. We evaluated the regional selectivity of presynaptic striatal dopaminergic denervation associated with RBD in PD.

METHODS: We compared two groups (n = 16) of PD patients with and without RBD in terms of specific binding ratios (SBR) in subregions of the striatum, which were measured using positron emission tomography with 18F-FP-CIT. SBRs of the anterior and posterior caudate, ventral striatum, and posterior and ventral putamen regions were measured in more or less affected side, and right or left side, or bilateral sum of the striatum.

RESULTS: Age, disease duration, and severity of parkinsonism were not significantly different between groups. Although group differences in all areas were not significant with multiple comparison corrections, SBR of the ventral striatum and anterior caudate in sum of both sides was significantly less in the RBD than in the non-RBD group without correction (p < 0.05). In the right anterior caudate and left ventral striatum, SBR was also lower in the RBD than in the non-RBD group without correction (p < 0.05). Attention function was impaired in the RBD group compared with the non-RBD group (p < 0.05). However, these statistical significances were not definite after correction of multiple comparisons (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: There is a possibility that RBD in early PD may be associated with presynaptic dopaminergic denervation in the ventral striatum and anterior caudate, which may explain decreased attention in our RBD group. RBD in PD may imply a distinct pathological progression. However, further study using large numbers of participants or longitudinal observation is necessary for the statistical conclusion because of small sample size.

PMID:36722243 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2201018

J Integr Neurosci. 2023 Jan 17;22(1):24. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2201024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The left primary motor area (M1) stimulation has recently been revealed to promote post-stroke aphasia (PSA) recovery, of which a plausible mechanism might be the semantic and/or the mirror neuron system reorganization, but the direct evidence is still scarce. The aim of this study was to explore the functional connectivity (FC) alterations induced by the left M1 intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a new transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm, in the semantic and mirror neuron systems of PSA patients.

METHODS: Sixteen PSA patients accepted the left M1 iTBS and underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) scanning before and immediately after the first session of iTBS, of which six underwent another fMRI scanning after twenty sessions of iTBS. Three brain networks covering the semantic and the mirror neuron systems were constructed using the fMRI data, and the FC alterations following one-session iTBS were investigated in the networks. Additional seed-based FC analyses were conducted to explore the longitudinal FC patterns changes during the course of multi-session iTBS. The Aphasia quotient of the Chinese version of the western aphasia battery (WAB-AQ) was used to assess the severity of the language impairments of the participants. The relationship between the longitudinal WAB-AQ and network FC changes was analyzed by Spearman’s correlation coefficients in the multi-session iTBS sub-group.

RESULTS: Decreased FCs were noted in the bilateral semantic rather than in the mirror neuron networks following one-session of iTBS (p < 0.05, network based statistical corrected). Longitudinal seed-based FC analyses revealed changing FC ranges along the multi-session iTBS course, extending beyond the semantic networks. No significant relationship was found between the longitudinal WAB-AQ and network FC changes in the multi-session iTBS sub-group.

CONCLUSIONS: The left M1 iTBS might induce FC changes in the semantic system of PSA patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This research was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website (http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx), and the registration number is ChiCTR2100041936.

PMID:36722227 | DOI:10.31083/j.jin2201024

J Genet. 2023;102:3.

ABSTRACT

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) belongs to the family Chanidae and it is a potential candidate species for aquaculture with the best biological characteristics. This study investigates the genetic diversity and population structure of C. chanos along the Indian coast using cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A total of 90 samples collected from five different locations across the Indian coast were sequenced for analysis using cyt b. The sequencing of a 1100-bp cyt b mtDNA fragment revealed the presence of 38 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity value of 0.835 and a nucleotide diversity value of 0.00400. The variation within and among populations accounted for about 97.33% and 2.67%, respectively. The fixation index analysis indicated that there is no significant genetic divergence among the populations from different geographical areas. Neighbour-joining tree analysis of the haplotype data showed no distinct patterns of phylogeographic structure. Results from this study indicated that there is a lack of genetic divergence between the populations of C. chanos along the Indian coast. The haplotype network showed star-like geneology which indicated the demographic expansion of the C. chanos population in these locations. The recent demographic expansion of the C. chanos population was also supported by the results of Tajima’s D statistics. Results from this study can be used for planning effective strategies for the conservation and management of the C. chanos population in the wild.

PMID:36722222