Nevin Manimala

J Neurol. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00415-022-11167-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathologic substrates or neuroanatomic regions responsible for similarities in behavioral features seen in autism spectrum disorder and late-life dementia remain unknown. The present study examined the neuropathologic features of late-life dementia in research volunteers with and without antemortem behaviors characteristic of autism spectrum disorders.

METHODS: Antemortem cross-sectional assessment of autistic spectrum behaviors proximal to death in persons with diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia was completed using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, 2nd edition (GARS-2), followed by postmortem quantitative and semiquantitative neuropathologic assessment. All individuals who completed the GARS-2 prior to autopsy were included (n = 56) and we note that no participants had known diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The GARS-2 was used as an antemortem screening tool to stratify participants into two groups: “Autism Possible/Very Likely” or “Autism Unlikely.” Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics comparing location and scale to evaluate between-group differences in pathologic features.

RESULTS: Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT; p = 0.028) density and tau burden (p = 0.032) in the frontal region, the NFT density (p = 0.048) and neuritic plaque burden (p = 0.042), and the tau burden (p = 0.032) of the temporal region, were significantly different in scale between groups. For measures with significant group differences, the medians of the Autism Possible/Very Likely group were roughly equal to the 75th percentile of the Autism Unlikely group (i.e., the distributions were shifted to the right).

DISCUSSION: This study links behaviors characteristic of autism to increased pathologic tau burden in the frontal and temporal lobes in persons with late-life dementia. Additional studies are needed to determine causal factors and treatment options for behaviors characteristic of autism behaviors in late-life dementias.

PMID:35596794 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-022-11167-y

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00253-022-11980-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer worldwide. Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been well proven for its role in oral carcinogenesis due to the abundance of several carcinogens. However, the role of inhabitant microorganisms in the oral cavity of smokeless tobacco users has not yet been well explored in the context of OSCC. Therefore, the present investigation was conceived to analyze the oral bacteriome of smokeless tobacco users having OSCC (CP group). With the assistance of illumina-based sequencing of bacterial-specific V3 hypervariable region of 16S rDNA gene, 71,969 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were categorized into 18 phyla and 166 genera. The overall analysis revealed that the oral bacteriome of the patients with OSCC, who were smokeless tobacco users, was significantly different compared to the healthy smokeless tobacco users (HTC group) and non-users (HI users). The appearance of 14 significantly abundant genera [FDR (false discovery rate) adjusted probability value of significance (p value) < 0.05] among the CP group showed the prevalence of tobacco-specific nitrosamines forming bacteria (Staphylococcus, Fusobacterium, and Campylobacter). The functional attributes of the oral bacteriome of the CP group can also be correlated with the genes involved in oncogenesis. This study is the first report on the oral bacteriome of Indian patients with OSCC who were chronic tobacco chewers. The results of the present study will pave the way to understand the influence of smokeless tobacco on the oral bacteriome of OSCC patients. KEY POINTS: • Oral bacteriome of OSCC patients differ from healthy smokeless tobacco (SLT) users and SLT non-users. • Smokeless tobacco influences the oral bacteriome of OSCC group. • Oral bacteriome specific diagnostics may be developed for pre-diagnosis of oral cancer.

PMID:35596785 | DOI:10.1007/s00253-022-11980-5

Eur Radiol. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-08796-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of deep learning reconstruction (DLR) on image quality and machine learning-based coronary CT angiography (CTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR_ML) values.

METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who underwent coronary CTA and subsequent invasive coronary angiography were enrolled. DLR was compared with filtered back projection (FBP), statistical-based iterative reconstruction (SBIR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) Cardiac, and MBIR Cardiac sharp for objective image qualities of coronary CTA. Invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) and quantitative flow ratio (QFR) were used as the reference standards. The diagnostic performances of different reconstruction approach-based CT-FFR_ML were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 182 lesions in 33 patients were enrolled for analysis. The image quality of DLR was superior to the others. There were no significant differences in the CT-FFR_ML values among these five approaches (all p > 0.05). Of the 182 lesions, 17 had invasive FFR results, and 70 had QFR results. Using FFR as a reference, MBIR Cardiac, MBIR Cardiac sharp, and DLR achieved equal diagnostic performance, slightly higher than the other reconstruction approaches (MBIR Cardiac, MBIR Cardiac sharp, and DLR: AUC = 0.82, FBP and AIDR: AUC = 0.78, all p > 0.05). Using QFR as a reference, the AUCs of FBP, SBIR, MBIR Cardiac, MBIR Cardiac sharp, and DLR were 0.83, 0.81, 0.86, 0.84, and 0.83, respectively (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the DLR algorithm improved image quality, but there were no significant differences in the CT-FFR_ML values and diagnostic performance among different reconstruction approaches.

KEY POINTS: • Deep learning-based image reconstruction (DLR) improves the image quality of coronary CTA. • CT-FFR_ML values and diagnostic performance of DLR revealed no significant differences compared to other reconstruction approaches.

PMID:35596780 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-022-08796-2

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00261-022-03548-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the gender and racial diversity of plenary session speakers in the annual meetings of Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) over 2016 to 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The brochures of the SAR annual meetings were reviewed for plenary session speakers and titles. Publicly available institutional profiles and social media were reviewed by the investigator in order to infer gender and race. Gender assessments were men, women, transgender men, transgender women or gender non-binary. Race was classified as White, Black or African American, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander and Multiracial. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square and T-tests.

RESULTS: Based on self-reported data, the SAR has 64% male and 36% female members. Over 2016-2020, plenary session speakers were more likely to be men [69.6% (183/263)] than women [30.4% (80/263)] (p-value = 0.0007). No speakers could be reliably identified as transgender, gender non-binary or gender expansive. In 2016, there were 24% women plenary speakers. This proportion was 28% in 2017, 33% in 2018 and 36% in 2019, and 30% in 2020. When assessing racial distribution, white speakers accounted for the majority of plenary speakers, ranging from 61 to 78%. Asians speakers accounted for 22 to 35%. There were no Black and African American, American Indian & Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander plenary speakers (0%). Multiracial speakers were represented from 2018 to 2020, accounting for 2-4% speakers (p-value < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Plenary speakers at SAR Annual Meetings from 2016-2020 were more likely to be men, but with the proportion of women presenters increasing over time. White speakers represented the majority of plenary session speakers, followed by Asians. No plenary session speakers were identified as Black or African American or Native Americans.

PMID:35596777 | DOI:10.1007/s00261-022-03548-8

Support Care Cancer. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-07159-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Antineoplastic treatments, mainly chemotherapy, affect the kidneys, causing toxicity, and can trigger acute and chronic kidney injuries. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of renal disorders in patients with oncohematological neoplasms receiving antineoplastic treatment.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 75 patients with hematological cancer who underwent chemotherapy between 2012 and 2018 in the Hematology Sector of the Walter Cantídeo University Hospital of the Federal University of Ceará. Sociodemographic and clinical data, blood biochemical assessment findings, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were analyzed using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. The data were tabulated; transferred to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 20.0; and analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables followed by a multinomial logistic regression model (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: The prevalence of renal disorders was 52.4% according to the CKD-EPI equation for GFR events. There was a significant association between the decrease in GFRs and the following variables: female sex (p = 0.002), diagnosis of multiple myeloma (p = 0.008), start of treatment within 40 days (p = 0.005), and the following antineoplastic treatments: cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (p = 0.026); irarubicin (p = 0.032); azacytidine, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide (p < 0.001); zoledronic acid (p < 0.001); and pamidronate (p = 0.012). CALGB 8811 (p < 0.001) was inversely associated with a reduction in the GFR.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of renal disorders was high in patients with oncohematological neoplasms receiving antineoplastic treatment. This requires periodic monitoring of the evaluation of renal function since reductions in GFRs were significantly associated with different treatment protocols used.

PMID:35596773 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-022-07159-3

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00068-022-01984-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology, patterns, seasonality and outcome of all-terrain vehicle-related injuries (ATVRIs) among different age groups in Qatar.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients hospitalized with ATVRI from 2010 to 2018 was conducted. Data were analyzed by age, gender, seasonality, and Injury severity Score (ISS). Chi-square, Student t and ANOVA tests were used for analysis. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to find out predictors of head injury and severe injury among ATV users.

RESULTS: Out of 15,000 trauma admissions, 521 had ATVRI (4%) with a mean age of 23.3 ± 12.3. The male-to-female ratio was 4:1 and the pediatric population represented 40%. The compliance with helmet use was 3.6%. The most injured regions were chest (29.8%), upper extremities (28.8%) and the head (25.9%). The mean ISS was 10.6 ± 7.7. Fracture fixation was the most operative intervention. Among hospitalized patients, 7.7% were transferred to rehabilitation . ATVRIs occurred more frequently between October and April and a large proportion (57.8%) occurred during weekends. The overall ATV-related hospital mortality rate was 2.1%. Young and older ATV users were more likely to suffer spine injuries than the pediatric population (p = 0.001). The mean ISS was greater in the older groups (p = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences regarding the use of protective devices, mortality, or length of hospital stay between the different age groups. On multivariate analysis, young age and ISS were predictors of head injury among ATV users after adjusting for gender and helmet use.

CONCLUSION: This is a nationwide study looking at all age groups who sustained ATVRI in Qatar. ATVRIs were observed in all age groups following leisure and recreational use. It follows a seasonal pattern with poor protective measures compliance. There is a need to reinforce helmet use and raise public awareness.

PMID:35596753 | DOI:10.1007/s00068-022-01984-1

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1007/s00404-022-06606-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This systematic review is designed to summarize the evidence concerning the impact of maternal physical activity on the reproductive outcomes following assisted reproduction techniques (ART), namely in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

METHODS: We searched for eligible studies on PubMed, EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Library from their inception until September 2021. Our primary outcomes were live birth rate and miscarriage, while secondary ones included clinical pregnancy and implantation rates. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using a study-specific adaptation of the Robins I tool.

RESULTS: Quantitative data from 10 cohort studies (CS) and 2 randomized control trials (RCT), involving 3431 women undergoing ART treatments, were included in the analyses. The pooled results exhibited uncertainty regarding the effect of physical activity on live birth rate per woman (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.92-1.43, p = 0.23, I² = 61%, 9 studies) and miscarriage rates (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.44-1.43, p = 0.43, I² = 44%, 6 studies). However, physical activity was associated with significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate after ART (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08-1.79, p = 0.0009, I² = 68%, 10 studies), whereas implantation rate after ART almost reached statistical significance (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 0.99-3.82, p = 0.05, I² = 77%).

CONCLUSION: The current evidence is still insufficient to firmly conclude on the effect of maternal physical activity on live birth, miscarriage and implantation rates. Although clinical pregnancy rates favored physical activity in this group of patients, these results must be undertaken with caution due to the low quality and the high heterogeneity of the studies included.

PMID:35596747 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-022-06606-0

Cancer Med. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4829. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma (ENEC) is an extremely rare type of malignancy. Clinical data of ENEC are limited to case reports and case series. More information is needed on its clinical feature, management, and prognosis.

METHODS: This study collected information of ENEC patients diagnosed pathologically from 2010 to 2018. Data including demographic information, clinical features, and survival trends were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Statistical analyses were performed with STATA/SE 15.1, SPSS 25.0, and GraphPad Prism 8.

RESULTS: A total of 283 ENEC patients were included in this study. The small-cell and large-cell subtypes of ENEC possess similar clinical features. The lower third of the esophagus (58%) was the most common location of ENEC. At the time of diagnosis, most ENEC patients were AJCC 7th stage IV (48.1%). Metastasis occurred in more than half of the ENEC patients (53.4%), and the most common metastatic site was the liver (37.1%). Compared with poorly differentiated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), another aggressive malignancy of the esophagus sometimes confused with ENEC because of similar histological features, our study showed differences in tumor location and metastatic rate, but similar poor survival rates. Multivariate survival analysis showed that ENEC located at the middle third of esophagus (p = 0.013), “Brain metastasis” (p = 0.019), and “Liver metastasis” (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of worse outcomes. “Surgery” (p = 0.003), and “Chemotherapy” (p < 0.001) were associated with better survival.

CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with newly diagnosed ENEC presented with metastatic disease. Predictors of poor survival included tumor location, brain metastasis, and liver metastasis. ENEC and poorly differentiated ESCC share certain histological features, but differ in tumor location and metastatic rate. Yet, no standard treatment strategy has been established, but surgery and chemotherapy were related to better outcomes.

PMID:35596661 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.4829

Child Dev. 2022 May 21. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13791. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Optimal integration of positive and negative outcomes during learning varies depending on an environment’s reward statistics. The present study investigated the extent to which children, adolescents, and adults (N = 142 8-25 year-olds, 55% female, 42% White, 31% Asian, 17% mixed race, and 8% Black; data collected in 2021) adapt their weighting of better-than-expected and worse-than-expected outcomes when learning from reinforcement. Participants made choices across two contexts: one in which weighting positive outcomes more heavily than negative outcomes led to better performance, and one in which the reverse was true. Reinforcement learning modeling revealed that across age, participants shifted their valence biases in accordance with environmental structure. Exploratory analyses revealed strengthening of context-dependent flexibility with increasing age.

PMID:35596654 | DOI:10.1111/cdev.13791

Vopr Pitan. 2022;91(2):93-98. doi: 10.33029/0042-8833-2022-91-2-93-98. Epub 2022 Mar 14.

ABSTRACT

Currently, as part of solving the problems of improving the quality and safety of food, research is underway on the introduction of oleogels into foodstuffs to replace solid fats, which contain saturated and trans-isomeric fatty acids. However, such a replacement leads to a change in the organoleptic characteristics of food. The aim of the work was to identify the characteristics that affect the difference in the perception of cookie descriptors baked using hard fat and oleogels. Material and methods. Three batches of sugar cookies samples with different fat components were produced for the study: butter cookies; cookies based on oleogel structured with beeswax; and cookies based on oleogel structured with combinations of beeswax fractions. Organoleptic evaluation was carried out by two methods: the triangle method according to ISO 4120:2004 and the free-choice profiling method according to ISO 13299-2015. In this case, the profile was derived statistically, by means of a generalized Procrustes analysis. Results and discussion. The analyze of cookies samples using the triangle method showed there was no noticeable difference between the control cookies samples and cookies with oleogel structured with beeswax, but there were significant differences with cookies baked with the use of oleogel structured with a combination of fractions. Generalized Procrustes analysis was used to interpret the results of the descriptor profile analysis. It was shown that differences in perception between samples were due to the severity of the following descriptors: Creamy flavour, Fat flavour, Floral flavour, Waxy flavour, Shape. A close correlation has been established between individual descriptors characterizing the samples under study. Conclusion. The data obtained as a result of the conducted studies allow not only to judge the acceptability of the use of oleogels in cookies from an organoleptic point of view, but also to identify individual characteristics that affect the perception of cookie samples. In the future, this information can be used to optimize the formulation of finished cookies containing oleogels in order to change the organoleptic profile in a targeted manner.

PMID:35596639 | DOI:10.33029/0042-8833-2022-91-2-93-98