Tag: nevin manimala

Neuroimage. 2023 Aug 11:120319. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120319. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Human cognitive performance is a key function whose biological foundations have been partially revealed by genetic and brain imaging studies. The sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) is tightly linked to structural and functional features of the central nervous system and serves as another promising biomarker. We used data from MrOS, a large cohort of older men and cross-validated regularized regression to link sleep EEG features to cognitive performance in cross-sectional analyses. In independent validation samples 2.5-10% of variance in cognitive performance can be accounted for by sleep EEG features, depending on the covariates used. Demographic characteristics accounted for more covariance between sleep EEG and cognition than health variables, and consequently reduced this association by a greater degree, but even with the strictest covariate sets a statistically significant association was present. Sigma power in NREM and beta power in REM sleep were associated with better cognitive performance, while theta power in REM sleep was associated with worse performance, with no substantial effect of coherence and other sleep EEG metrics. Our findings show that cognitive performance is associated with the sleep EEG (r=0.283), with the strongest effect ascribed to spindle-frequency activity. This association becomes weaker after adjusting for demographic (r=0.186) and health variables (r=0.155), but its resilience to covariate inclusion suggest that it also partially reflects trait-like differences in cognitive ability.

PMID:37574121 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120319

Neuroimage. 2023 Aug 11:120312. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120312. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Activity-dependent myelination is a fundamentally important mode of brain plasticity which significantly influences function. We recently discovered that absence seizures, which occur in multiple forms of generalized epilepsy, can induce activity-dependent myelination, which in turn promotes further progression of epilepsy. Structural alterations of myelin are likely to be widespread, given that absence seizures arise from an extensive thalamocortical network involving frontoparietal regions of the bilateral hemispheres. However, the temporal course and spatial extent of myelin plasticity is unknown, due to limitations of gold-standard histological methods such as electron microscopy (EM). In this study, we leveraged magnetization transfer and diffusion MRI for estimation of g-ratios across major white matter tracts in a mouse model of generalized epilepsy with progressive absence seizures. Electron microscopy was performed on the same brains after MRI. After seizure progression, we found increased myelination (decreased g-ratios) throughout the anterior portion (genu-to-body) of the corpus callosum but not in the posterior portion (body-splenium) nor in the fornix or the internal capsule. Curves obtained from averaging g-ratio values at every longitudinal point of the corpus callosum were statistically different with p<0.0001. Seizure-associated myelin differences found in the corpus callosum body with MRI were statistically significant (p = 0.0027) and were concordant with EM in the same region (p = 0.01). Notably, these differences were not detected by diffusion tensor imaging. This study reveals widespread myelin structural change that is specific to the absence seizure network.Furthermore, our findings demonstrate the potential utility and importance of MRI-based g-ratio estimation to non-invasively detect myelin plasticity.

PMID:37574120 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120312

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Aug 11:S1063-4584(23)00880-4. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.07.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess (i) the impact of changes in body weight on changes in joint-adjacent subcutaneous fat (SCF) and cartilage thickness over 4-years and (ii) the relation between changes in joint-adjacent SCF and knee cartilage thickness.

DESIGN: Individuals from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (total=399) with >10% weight gain (n=100) and >10% weight loss (n=100) over 4 years were compared to a matched control cohort with less than 3% change in weight (n=199). 3.0T MRI of the right knee was performed at baseline and after 4 years to quantify joint-adjacent SCF and cartilage thickness. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations between the (i) weight change group and 4-year changes in both knee SCF and cartilage thickness, and (ii) 4-year changes in knee SCF and in cartilage thickness. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, baseline BMI, tibial diameter (and weight change group in analysis (ii)).

RESULTS: Individuals who lost weight over 4-years had significantly less joint-adjacent SCF (beta range, medial/lateral joint sides: 2.2mm to 4.2mm, p<0.001) than controls; individuals who gained weight had significantly greater joint-adjacent SCF than controls (beta range: -1.4mm- -3.9mm, p<0.001). No statistically significant associations were found between weight change and cartilage thickness change. However, increases in joint-adjacent SCF over 4-years were significantly associated with decreases in cartilage thickness (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Weight change was associated with joint-adjacent SCF, but not with change in cartilage thickness. However, 4-year increases in joint-adjacent SCF were associated with decreases in cartilage thickness independent of baseline BMI and weight change group.

PMID:37574110 | DOI:10.1016/j.joca.2023.07.011

Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2023 Aug 11:S0003-4266(23)00685-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ando.2023.08.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We describe mortality-related risk factors of inpatients with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Belgium.

METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study from March to May, 2020, in 8 Belgian centers. Data on admission of patients with diabetes and COVID-19 were collected. Survivors were compared to non-survivors to identify prognostic risk factors for in-hospital death, using multivariate analysis in both the total population and in the subgroup of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

RESULTS: The study included 375 patients. The mortality rate was 26.4% (99/375) in the total population and 40% (27/67) in the ICU. Multivariate analysis identified older age (HR 1.05 [CI 1.03-1.07], p <0.0001) and male gender (HR 2.01 [1.31-3.07], p 0.0013) as the main independent risk factors for in-hospital death in the total population. Use of metformin (HR 0.51 [0.34-0.78], p 0.0018) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (HR 0.56 [0.36-0.86], p 0.0088) before admission were independent protective factors. In the ICU, chronic kidney disease (CKD) was identified as an independent risk factor for death (HR 4.96 [2.14-11.5], p <0.001).

CONCLUSION: In-hospital mortality due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium was high in patients with diabetes. We found that advanced age and male gender were independent risk factors for in-hospital death. We also showed that metformin use before admission was associated with significantly lower COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality. Finally, we showed that CKD is a COVID-19-related mortality risk factor in patients with diabetes admitted to the ICU.

PMID:37574109 | DOI:10.1016/j.ando.2023.08.002

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 11:166148. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166148. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Common beech (Fagus sylvatica) is one of the most important deciduous tree species in European forests. However, climate-change-induced drought may threaten its dominant position. The Sonian Forest close to Brussels (Belgium) is home to some of the largest beech trees in the world. This UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its high density of very large beech trees as a result of its climatic suitability, fertile soil conditions, and past management. Here we utilized tree-ring data from increment cores to investigate the growth of these old and monumental beech trees, evaluating their growth trends, response to past climate, and the effect of mast years on 39 living and 16 recently wind-thrown trees. Our analysis reveals that the sampled trees were generally sensitive to spring and summer droughts but recovered quickly after such an extreme climatic event. The growth trend of living trees has remained high and only shows a slight, statistically insignificant, decline over the past 50 years. Although the overall growth rate remains strong (BAI 50 cm²/year), the past five decades have shown strong inter-annual growth variations due to frequent and more intense droughts combined with an increased frequency of mast years. We also found notable differences in growth patterns between the living trees and those that had recently been wind-thrown. While there were no significant differences between living and wind-thrown trees in response to droughts, heatwaves, or mast years when examining year-to-year growth changes, the wind-thrown trees did exhibit considerably lower overall growth rates and a significant downward trend in growth (BAI -0.57 cm²/year). This difference in growth trends has been apparent since at least the 1980s. Overall, the findings of this study can provide valuable insights for understanding the long-term dynamics of lowland beech forests and their responses to climate change.

PMID:37574075 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166148

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 11:166163. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166163. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) relies on representative sampling that is typically achieved with autosamplers that collect time, flow, or volume proportional samples. The expense, resources and operational know-how associated with autosampler operation means they are only typically available at major wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This results in a lack of data on consumption levels in regional and remote areas, or in countries that lack the financial means. The aim of this study was to estimate and investigate trends in drug consumption across varying levels of remoteness in Australia. Field-calibrated, microporous polyethylene passive samplers were deployed over 2 periods (Aug/Sept 2019 and 2020) at 43 treatment plants covering all five categories of remoteness, as per Australian Bureau of Statistics definitions (Major cities, Inner regional, Outer regional, Remote, and Very remote). The per capita consumption of cocaine, methylamphetamine, nicotine, oxycodone and MDMA were estimated. No spatial trends between remoteness and drug consumption were observed, except for cocaine, where Major cities had a 5-to-10-fold higher consumption compared to the other levels of remoteness in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Outer regional sites had the highest and lowest methylamphetamine consumption. The variance in drug use among sites was much higher in Remote (and Inner/Outer regional) sites when compared with Major cities. A significant and consistent decrease in oxycodone consumption was observed at all sites between 2019 and 2020, possibly related to regulatory changes and the COVID-19 pandemic where elective surgeries were suspended. The majority of sites experienced a decrease in cocaine and methylamphetamine consumption, possibly due to border restrictions or changes in supply and demand dynamics. This was the first extensive passive sampling study to assess drug consumption in urban, regional, and remote locations, demonstrating that passive samplers can facilitate extension of wastewater-based drug monitoring programs to sites where other representative sampling options are very difficult to implement.

PMID:37574069 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166163

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 Aug 11:101130. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101130. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37574048 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101130

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 Aug 11:101123. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The estimation of fetal weight (EFW) by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a simple and rapid method, with a high sensitivity to predict birthweight (BW) in comparison to ultrasound (US). Several national and international growth charts are currently in use but there is substantial heterogeneity among these charts due to: variations in the selected populations from which they were derived, different methodologies and statistical analysis of data.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of MRI and US for the prediction of BW using three commonly used fetal growth charts: INTERGROWTH-21^st (IG-21) project, World Health Organization (WHO), and Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF).

STUDY DESIGN: Data derived from a prospective, single center, blinded cohort study that compared the performance of MRI and US between 36^+0/7 to 36^+6/7 weeks of gestation (WG) for the prediction of BW ≥ 95^th percentile was reanalyzed. EFW were categorized as > or < 5^th, > or < 10^th, > or < 90^th, and > or < 95^th percentile according to the three growth charts. BW was similarly categorized according to the BW standards of each chart. The performances of US and MRI for the prediction of BW < 5^th, < 10^th, > 90^th, and > 95^th percentile using the different growth charts were compared. Data were analysed with R software version 4.1.2. The comparison of sensitivity and specificity was done by McNemar and exact binomial tests. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS: 2378 women were eligible for final analysis. US and MRI were performed at a median gestational age of 36^+3/7 WG, delivery occurred at a median gestational age of 39^+3/7 WG, and median BW was 3380 grams. The incidences of BW < 5^th and < 10^th percentiles were highest with the FMF chart and lowest with the IG-21 chart, whereas the incidences of BW > 90^th and > 95^th percentiles were lowest with the FMF chart and highest with the IG-21 chart. The sensitivity of MRI with an EFW > 95^th percentile in the prediction of BW > 95^th percentile was significantly higher than that of US across the three growth charts, however, its specificity was slightly lower than that of US. In contrast, the sensitivity of MRI with an EFW <10^th percentile for predicting BW <10^th percentile was significantly lower than US in the IG-21 and FMF charts, whereas the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of MRI were significantly higher than US for the three charts. Findings for the prediction of BW > 90^th percentile were close to those of BW > 95^th percentile, and findings for the prediction of BW < 5^th percentile were close to those of BW < 10^th percentile.

CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of MRI is superior to US for the prediction of large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses and inferior to US for the prediction of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses across the three different growth charts. The reverse is true for the specificity of MRI in comparison to the specificity of US.

PMID:37574047 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101123

Int J Cardiol. 2023 Aug 11:131257. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131257. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia (HK) is a life-threatening condition that is frequently evaluated by electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG changes in severe HK (≥ 6.3 mEq/L) are not well-characterized. This study sought to compare and correlate ECG metrics in severe HK to baseline normokalemic ECGs and serum potassium.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 340 severe HK encounters with corresponding normokalemic ECGs was performed.

RESULTS: Various ECG metrics were analyzed. P wave amplitude in lead II, QRS duration, T wave slope, ratio of T wave amplitude: duration, and ratios of T wave: QRS amplitudes were significantly different between normokalemic and HK ECGs. P wave amplitude attenuation in lead II correlated better with serum potassium than in V₁. T wave metrics that incorporated both T wave and QRS amplitudes correlated better than metrics utilizing T wave metrics alone.

CONCLUSION: Multiple statistically significant and quantifiable differences among ECG metrics were observed between normokalemic and HK ECGs and correlated with increasing degrees of serum potassium and along the continuum of serum potassium. When incorporated into a logistic regression model, the ability to distinguish HK versus normokalemia on ECG improved significantly. These findings could be integrated into an ECG acquisition system that can more accurately identify severe HK.

PMID:37574026 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131257

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Aug 11:S1542-3565(23)00626-2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.08.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Individual risk prediction of liver-related events (LRE) is needed for the clinical assessment of NAFLD/NASH patients. We aimed at providing point-of-care validated liver stiffness measurement (LSM)-based risk prediction models for the development of LRE in patients with NAFLD, focusing on selecting patients for clinical trials at risk of clinical events.

METHODS: Two large multicenter cohorts were evaluated, 2638 NAFLD patients covering all LSM values as derivation cohort and 679 more advanced patients as validation cohort. We used Cox regression to develop and validate risk prediction models based on LSM alone, and the ANTICIPATE and ANTICIPATE-NASH models for clinically significant portal hypertension. The main outcome of the study was the rate of LRE in the first 3 years after initial assessment.

RESULTS: The 3 predictive models had a similar performance in the derivation cohort with a very high discriminative value (c-statistics 0·87-0·91). In the validation cohort, the LSM-LRE alone model had a significant inferior discrimination (c-statistic 0·75) than the other 2 models, while the ANTICIPATE-NASH-LRE model (0·81) was significantly better than the ANTICIPATE-LRE (0·79). In addition, the ANTICIPATE-NASH-LRE presented a very good calibration in the validation cohort (integrated calibration index 0·016), better than the ANTICIPATE-LRE.

CONCLUSIONS: The ANTICIPATE-LRE models, and especially the ANTICIPATE-NASH-LRE model, could be valuable validated clinical tools to individually assess the risk of LRE at 3 years in patients with NAFLD/NASH.

PMID:37573987 | DOI:10.1016/j.cgh.2023.08.004