Nevin Manimala

Spinal Cord. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1038/s41393-022-00850-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To describe design and methods of Australian arm of International Spinal Cord Injury (Aus-InSCI) community survey, reporting on participation rates, potential non-response bias and cohort characteristics.

SETTING: Survey of community-dwelling people with SCI at least 12 months post-injury, recruited between March 2018 and January 2019, from state-wide SCI services, a government insurance agency and not-for-profit consumer organisations across four Australian states.

METHODS: The Aus-InSCI survey combined data for people with SCI from nine custodians, using secure data-linkage processes, to create a population-based, anonymised dataset. The Aus-InSCI questionnaire comprised 193 questions. Eligibility, response status and participation rates were calculated. Descriptive statistics depict participant characteristics. Logistic regression models were developed for probability of participation, and inverse probability weights generated to assess potential non-response bias.

RESULTS: 1579 adults with SCI were recruited, a cooperation rate of 29.4%. Participants were predominantly male (73%), with 50% married. Mean age was 57 years (range 19-94) and average time post-injury 17 years (range 1-73). Paraplegia (61%) and incomplete lesions (68%) were most common. Males were more likely than females to have traumatic injuries (p < 0.0001) and complete lesions (p = 0.0002), and younger age-groups were more likely to have traumatic injuries and tetraplegia (p < 0.0001). Potential non-response bias evaluated using selected outcomes was found to be negligible in the Aus-InSCI cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: The Aus-InSCI survey made efforts to maximise coverage, avoid recruitment bias and address non-response bias. The distributed, linked and coded (re-identifiable at each custodian level) ‘virtual quasi-registry’ data model supports systematic cross-sectional and longitudinal research.

PMID:36153439 | DOI:10.1038/s41393-022-00850-6

Ophthalmol Ther. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s40123-022-00567-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated choroidal structural changes on optical coherence tomography (OCT) using choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD).

METHODS: This retrospective case control study included 78 patients with BVMD of different clinical stages and 242 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Subfoveal OCT scans were analysed. Total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA) and CT were measured after image segmentation and binarization. CVI, a novel marker for choroidal angioarchitecture, was defined as the ratio of LA to TCA. CVI and CT were compared between BVMD and control group, as well as among the BVMD subgroups.

RESULTS: Mean CVI was lower in eyes with BVMD (65.0 ± 3.5%) compared to that in control eyes (67.5 ± 3.9%) and this was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in subfoveal CT between BVMD (302.88 ± 81.68 μm) and control (309.31 ± 65.46 μm) eyes (p = 0.4799). In the subgroup analysis, all stages of BVMD showed lower CVI compared to control while SFCT remained similar. Within the BVMD subgroups, CVI and subfoveal CT did not differ significantly and both were not shown to be associated with visual acuity.

CONCLUSION: Decreased CVI was shown in eyes with BVMD compared to control eyes, while no significant difference in subfoveal CT was seen. CVI may be helpful in the understanding of choroidal pathology in BVMD.

PMID:36153433 | DOI:10.1007/s40123-022-00567-y

Int Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s10792-022-02509-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to analyze the relationship between the volume of the fractured and the normal orbit in patients with unilateral orbital fractures with and without indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).

SUBJECTS: Data of 25 patients with unilateral orbital fractures who underwent computer tomography between January 2016 and December 2020 were investigated. Emergency imaging was performed within 2 hours of arrival at the emergency room. The subjects were categorized into two groups: unilateral orbital fractures with and without TON.

METHODS AND MEASURES: The assessment of TON was performed during a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination by an ophthalmologist. The stereographic orbit was reconstructed, and the volume was calculated. Other variables examined included age, sex, and cause of orbital trauma. The variables were compared using paired t-tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The orbital volume of the non-fractured orbit was 27.50 ± 2.26 and 27.48 ± 2.64 cm³ in the groups with and without TON, respectively. The average volume of the fractured orbit in the TON group was 27.78 ± 2.56 cm³, and there was no significant volumetric difference between the fractured and non-fractured sides in this group. However, the average volume of the fractured orbit without TON was 28.76 ± 3.18 cm³, larger than that of the non-fractured orbit (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS: Non-expansion of the fractured orbit was a risk factor for indirect TON in patients with unilateral orbital fractures. Volumetric analysis from primary imaging would expedite the diagnosis and treatment of TON, resulting in optimal outcomes.

PMID:36153431 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-022-02509-w

Sci Rep. 2022 Sep 24;12(1):15935. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-19997-6.

ABSTRACT

In the early stages after larval settlement, coral spat can be rapidly overgrown and outcompeted by algae, reducing overall survival for coral reef replenishment and supply for restoration programs. Here we investigated three antifouling (AF) coatings for their ability to inhibit algal fouling on coral settlement plugs, a commonly-used restoration substrate. Plugs were either fully or partially coated with the AF coatings and incubated in mesocosm systems with partial recirculation for 37 days to track fouling succession. In addition, settlement of Acropora tenuis larvae was measured to determine whether AF coatings were a settlement deterrent. Uncoated control plugs became heavily fouled, yielding only 4-8% bare substrate on upper surfaces after 37 days. During this period, an encapsulated dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT)-coating was most effective in reducing fouling, yielding 61-63% bare substrate. Antiadhesive and cerium dioxide (CeO_2-x) nanoparticle (NP) coatings were less effective, yielding 11-17% and 2% bare substrate, respectively. Average settlement of A. tenuis larvae on the three types of AF-coated plugs did not statistically differ from settlement on uncoated controls. However, settlement on the NP-coating was generally the highest and was significantly higher than settlement found on the antiadhesive- and DCOIT-coating. Furthermore, on plugs only partially-covered with AF coatings, larval settlement on coated NP- areas was significantly higher than settlement on coated antiadhesive- and DCOIT-areas. These results demonstrate that AF coatings can reduce fouling intensity on biologically-relevant timescales while preserving robust levels of coral settlement. This represents an important step towards reducing fine-scale competition with benthic fouling organisms in coral breeding and propagation.

PMID:36153418 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-19997-6

Vet Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1111/vop.13026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcomes and efficacy of diamond burr debridement (DBD) treatment for corneal ulceration in cats.

PROCEDURE(S): Medical records of cats that received DBD at two private practices between 2015 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. DBD was performed using a battery-powered, handheld motorized burr and a bandage contact lens was placed in 18/21 eyes. Corneal ulceration was considered resolved if the cornea was fluorescein negative with a stable epithelial surface. Recurrence was defined as return of corneal ulceration. Descriptive statistics and a Fisher’s exact test were conducted on the study population.

RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes from 20 cats with superficial corneal ulcers refractory to medical treatment underwent DBD. Domestic and Burmese were the most commonly encountered breeds and the median age of affected cats was 8.83 years (range 0.5-20 years). Corneal ulceration was present for a median of 14 days prior to DBD. Healing was achieved in 81% of eyes; with four eyes failing to heal and requiring further intervention. Corneal sequestrum was reported in one case that failed to heal. Of the healed cases, three cases recurred (17.6%) at a mean of 116.3 days (range 79-135 days). Burmese were overrepresented (p < .001) in cases that failed to heal or recurred (6/7 eyes; 85.7%). The median postoperative follow-up time was 93 days (range 6-1613 days).

CONCLUSIONS: Diamond burr debridement is a safe, non-invasive treatment for corneal ulceration in cats but, compared with published results, it had a lower success rate than superficial lamellar keratectomy.

PMID:36152338 | DOI:10.1111/vop.13026

J Neurosurg Spine. 2022 Sep 23:1-11. doi: 10.3171/2022.7.SPINE22536. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a posterior facet replacement device, the Total Posterior Spine (TOPS) System, for the treatment of one-level symptomatic lumbar stenosis with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis. Posterior lumbar arthroplasty with facet replacement is a motion-preserving alternative to lumbar decompression and fusion. The authors report the preliminary results from the TOPS FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) trial.

METHODS: The study was a prospective, randomized controlled FDA IDE trial comparing the investigational TOPS device with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and pedicle screw fixation. The minimum follow-up duration was 24 months. Validated patient-reported outcome measures included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain. The primary outcome was a composite measure of clinical success: 1) no reoperations, 2) no device breakage, 3) ODI reduction of ≥ 15 points, and 4) no new or worsening neurological deficit. Patients were considered a clinical success only if they met all four measures. Radiographic assessments were made by an independent core laboratory.

RESULTS: A total of 249 patients were evaluated (n = 170 in the TOPS group and n = 79 in the TLIF group). There were no statistically significant differences between implanted levels (L4-5: TOPS, 95% and TLIF, 95%) or blood loss. The overall composite measure for clinical success was statistically significantly higher in the TOPS group (85%) compared with the TLIF group (64%) (p = 0.0138). The percentage of patients reporting a minimum 15-point improvement in ODI showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.037) favoring TOPS (93%) over TLIF (81%). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the percentage of patients reporting a minimum 20-point improvement on VAS back pain (TOPS, 87%; TLIF, 64%) and leg pain (TOPS, 90%; TLIF, 88%) scores. The rate of surgical reintervention for facet replacement in the TOPS group (5.9%) was lower than the TLIF group (8.8%). The TOPS cohort demonstrated maintenance of flexion/extension range of motion from preoperatively (3.85°) to 24 months (3.86°).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that posterior lumbar decompression and dynamic stabilization with the TOPS device is safe and efficacious in the treatment of lumbar stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Additionally, decompression and dynamic stabilization with the TOPS device maintains segmental motion.

PMID:36152329 | DOI:10.3171/2022.7.SPINE22536

J Neurosurg. 2022 Sep 23:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2022.8.JNS221516. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Preservation of neurological function is a priority when performing a resection of a vestibular schwannoma (VS). Few studies have examined the radiographic value of a fundal fluid cap-i.e., cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral end of a VS within the internal auditory canal-for prediction of postoperative neurological function. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the presence of a fundal fluid cap on preoperative magnetic resonance images has a clinical impact on facial nerve function after resection of VSs.

METHODS: The presence of a fundal fluid cap and its prognostic impact on long-term postoperative facial nerve function were analyzed.

RESULTS: A fundal fluid cap was present in 102 of 143 patients who underwent resection of sporadic VSs via the retrosigmoid approach. Facial nerve function was acceptable (House-Brackmann grade I-II) immediately after surgery in 82 (80.4%) patients with a fundal fluid cap and in 26 (63.4%) of those without this sign. The preservation rate of facial nerve function increased in a time-dependent manner after surgery in patients with a fundal fluid cap but plateaued by 3 months postoperatively in those without a fundal fluid cap; the difference was statistically significant at 12 months (96.1% vs 82.9%, p = 0.013) and 24 months (97.1% vs 82.9%, p = 0.006) after surgery. The presence of a fundal fluid cap had a significantly positive effect on long-term facial nerve function at 24 months after surgery when tumor size and intraoperative neuromonitoring response were taken into account (OR 5.55, 95% CI 1.12-27.5, p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS: Neuromonitoring-guided microsurgery for total resection of VSs is more likely to be successful in terms of preservation of facial nerve function if a fundal fluid cap is present. This preoperative radiographic sign could be helpful when counseling patients and deciding the treatment strategy.

PMID:36152320 | DOI:10.3171/2022.8.JNS221516

Genome Biol Evol. 2022 Sep 24:evac143. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evac143. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Local adaptation can lead to elevated genetic differentiation at the targeted genetic variant and nearby sites. Selective sweeps come in different forms, and depending on the initial and final frequencies of a favored variant, very different patterns of genetic variation may be produced. If local selection favors an existing variant that had already recombined onto multiple genetic backgrounds, then the width of elevated genetic differentiation (high FST) may be too narrow to detect using a typical windowed genome scan, even if the targeted variant becomes highly differentiated. We therefore used a simulation approach to investigate the power of SNP-level FST (specifically, the maximum SNP FST value within a window, or FST_MaxSNP) to detect diverse scenarios of local adaptation, and compared it against whole-window FST and the Comparative Haplotype Identity statistic. We found that FST_MaxSNP had superior power to detect complete or mostly complete soft sweeps, but lesser power than full-window statistics to detect partial hard sweeps. Nonetheless, the power of FST_MaxSNP depended highly on sample size, and confident outliers depend on robust precautions and quality control. To investigate the relative enrichment of FST_MaxSNP outliers from real data, we applied the two FST statistics to a panel of Drosophila melanogaster populations. We found that FST_MaxSNP had a genome-wide enrichment of outliers compared to demographic expectations, and though it yielded a lesser enrichment than window FST, it detected mostly unique outlier genes and functional categories. Our results suggest that FST_MaxSNP is highly complementary to typical window-based approaches for detecting local adaptation, and merits inclusion in future genome scans and methodologies.

PMID:36152314 | DOI:10.1093/gbe/evac143

Methods Mol Biol. 2023;2578:219-236. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2732-7_16.

ABSTRACT

Peptide microarrays are a powerful tool to identify linear epitopes of food allergens in a high-throughput manner. The main advantages of the microarray-based immunoassay are as follows: the possibility to assay thousands of targets simultaneously, the requirement of a low volume of serum, the more robust statistical analysis, and the possibility to test simultaneously several immunoglobulin subclasses. Among them, the last one has a special interest in the field of food allergy, because the development of tolerance to food allergens has been associated with a decrease in IgE and an increase in IgG4 levels against linear epitopes. However, the main limitation to the clinical use of microarray is the automated analysis of the data. Recent studies mapping the linear epitopes of food allergens with peptide microarray immunoassays have identified peptide biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis of food allergies and to predict their severity or the self-development of tolerance. Using this approach, we have worked on epitope mapping of the two most important food allergens in the Spanish population, cow’s milk, and chicken eggs. The final aim of these studies is to define subsets of peptides that could be used as biomarkers to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of food allergies. This chapter describes the protocol to produce microarrays using a library of overlapping peptides corresponding to the primary sequences of food allergens and data acquisition and analysis of IgE and IgG4 binding epitopes.

PMID:36152291 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-2732-7_16

Environ Monit Assess. 2022 Sep 24;194(11):826. doi: 10.1007/s10661-022-10425-w.

ABSTRACT

In precision agriculture (PA), the usage of image processing, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and internet of things provides an increase in efficiency, energy, and time saving. In image processing-based applications, vegetation detection, in other words, segmentation that allows monitoring of plant growth and health as well as identification of weeds has a great importance. Vegetation indices (VIs) are widely used algorithms for segmentation. Their advantages include low computational cost and easy implementation and handling compared to the other algorithms. Nevertheless, they require a manual threshold detection that customizes the process and prevents generalization. In this study, a novel automatic segmentation method, which does not require a manual threshold detection by combining VIs with a classification algorithm, is proposed. It deals with the segmentation process as a two class classification problem (vegetation and background). As the classification algorithm, Discriminative Common Vector Approach (DCVA) that has a high discrimination power is used. Each image pixel is represented with a 3 × 1 dimensional vector whose elements correspond to Excess Green (ExG), Green minus Blue (GB), and Color Index of Vegetation (CIVE); VI values are obtained. Then, on the sample space accepting this pixel vector as a sample, DCVA is applied and a discriminative common vector for each class which is unique and describes that class in the best way possible is obtained and it is used for classification. Proposed segmentation method’s performance is compared with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Random Forest (RF) algorithm. The proposed segmentation algorithm outperformed both CNN’s and RF’s performance.

PMID:36152226 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-022-10425-w