The development of brain function in young infants is poorly understood. The core challenge is that infants have a limited behavioral repertoire through which brain function can be expressed. ...Neuroimaging with fMRI has great potential as a way of characterizing typical development, and detecting abnormal development early. But, a number of methodological challenges must first be tackled to improve the robustness and sensitivity of neonatal fMRI. A critical one of these, addressed here, is that the hemodynamic response function (HRF) in pre-term and term neonates differs from that in adults, which has a number of implications for fMRI. We created a realistic model of noise in fMRI data, using resting-state fMRI data from infants and adults, and then conducted simulations to assess the effect of HRF of the power of different stimulation protocols and analysis assumptions (HRF modeling). We found that neonatal fMRI is most powerful if block-durations are kept at the lower range of those typically used in adults (full on/off cycle duration 25-30s). Furthermore, we show that it is important to use the age-appropriate HRF during analysis, as mismatches can lead to reduced power or even inverted signal. Where the appropriate HRF is not known (for example due to potential developmental delay), a flexible basis set performs well, and allows accurate post-hoc estimation of the HRF.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A proton microbeam produces ferromagnetic spots on a highly oriented graphite surface. The Figure shows the topography and the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images obtained after irradiating the ...surface with a beam size of 1 μm × 1 μm and a dose of 0.098 nC μm–2. The strength of the magnetic signal is only a factor of ∼ 10 smaller than that obtained on Fe particles.
To elucidate the processes involved in the spatial and temporal maturation of spermatogenic cells in the testes of the soft-shelled turtle,
Pelodiscus sinensis, we used a histological morphology ...method, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, the proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and electron microscopy. Seminiferous tubules from 100 turtles, normal for size of testes and semen quality, were collected during 10 months of a complete annual cycle (10 turtles/month). The seminiferous epithelium was spermatogenically active through the summer and fall, but quiescent throughout the rest of the year; germ cells progressed through spermatogenesis in a temporal rather than a spatial pattern, resulting in a single spermatogenic event that climaxed with one massive sperm release in November. The TUNEL method detected few apoptotic cells in spermatogenic testis, with much larger numbers during the spermatogenically quiescent phase. Spermatocytes were the most common germ cell types labeled by the TUNEL assay (a few spermatogonia were also labeled). Apoptotic spermatocytes had membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation during the resting phase, but not during active spermatogenesis. We inferred that accelerated apoptosis of spermatogonia and spermatocytes partly accounted for germ cell loss during the nonspermatogenic phase. The PCNA was expressed in nuclei of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes during the spermatogenically active phase. During the regressive phase, PCNA-positive cells also included spermatogonia and spermatocytes, but the number of positive spermatocytes was less than that during the spermatogenically active phase. We concluded that seasonal variations in spermatogenesis in the soft-shelled turtle were both stage- and process-specific.
Abstract The purpose of this randomized prospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes of orbital wall fracture surgery involving transconjunctival wound closure with fibrin sealant to the ...outcomes achieved with a conventional suture method. All surgeries were performed using the same technique, except that the conjunctival closure was achieved using either a buried 6–0 Vicryl suture ( n = 10) or fibrin sealant ( n = 10). The time to conjunctival closure and time required for complete wound healing were investigated. Postoperative discomfort in the two groups was compared at day 1, day 3, week 1, and week 4. Postoperative subconjunctival haemorrhage and peri-orbital ecchymosis were observed. The mean conjunctival closure time was significantly shorter in the fibrin group than in the suture group. All conjunctival wounds healed by the end of the first week. On postoperative days 1 and 3, the discomfort scores were significantly lower in the fibrin group. Subconjunctival haemorrhage and peri-orbital ecchymosis were less frequent in the fibrin group. Fibrin sealant proved to be as effective as sutures for conjunctival wound closure. Fibrin sealant allows a more comfortable early postoperative course and may be an excellent alternative for conjunctival wound closure in orbital wall fracture surgery.
Thrombocytosis has been associated with COPD prevalence and increased all-cause mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD); but whether it is associated with morbidity in stable ...COPD is unknown. This study aims to determine the association of thrombocytosis with COPD morbidity including reported AECOPD, respiratory symptoms and exercise capacity.
Participants with COPD were included from two multi-center observational studies (SPIROMICS and COPDGene). Cross-sectional associations of thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥350 × 10
/L) with AECOPD during prior year (none vs. any), exertional dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score ≥ 2), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score ≥ 10, six-minute-walk distance (6MWD), and St. George Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) were modeled using multivariable logistic or linear regression. A pooled effect estimate for thrombocytosis was produced using meta-analysis of data from both studies.
Thrombocytosis was present in 124/1820 (6.8%) SPIROMICS participants and 111/2185 (5.1%) COPDGene participants. In meta-analysis thrombocytosis was associated with any AECOPD (adjusted odds ratio aOR 1.5; 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 1.1-2.0), severe AECOPD (aOR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.2), dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 2 aOR 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9), respiratory symptoms (CAT ≥ 10 aOR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.4), and higher SGRQ score (β 2.7; 95% CI: 0.5, 5). Thrombocytosis was also associated with classification into Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) group D (aOR 1.7 95% CI: 1.2-2.4).
Thrombocytosis was associated with higher likelihood of prior exacerbation and worse symptoms. Platelet count, a commonly measured clinical assay, may be a biomarker for moderate-severe COPD symptoms, guide disease classification and intensity of treatment. Future longitudinal studies investigating the role of platelets in COPD progression may be warranted.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01969344 (SPIROMICS) and NCT00608764 (COPDGene).
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Colistimethate sodium and tobramycin are important systemic antibiotics for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations but can induce acute kidney injury (AKI). We characterize the ...rate of AKI in CF patients treated with systemic colistimethate sodium compared with tobramycin.
This single-centre, retrospective cohort study included hospitalized CF patients treated with IV colistimethate sodium or tobramycin. The primary outcome was AKI defined using the RIFLE criteria. Multivariate logistic regression using a mixed model was performed to identify variables that were independently associated with AKI.
Overall, 156 patients representing 507 care encounters were included. The OR of AKI was not increased with IV colistimethate sodium relative to IV tobramycin after adjusting for other potential predictor variables (aOR 1.00; 95% CI 0.16-6.03). The frequency of AKI was 9.5% across all encounters, 6.9% with IV colistimethate sodium and 9.9% with IV tobramycin, with RIFLE category R (risk) being the most common stage, accounting for 4.2% of encounters with IV colistimethate sodium and 9.2% with IV tobramycin. The concomitant use of another nephrotoxin (aOR 2.51; 95% CI 1.27-4.95) or the combination of vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam (aOR 5.95; 95% CI 2.05-17.3) were both associated with increased odds of AKI.
Systemic treatment with colistimethate sodium or tobramycin in the CF patient population is associated with a similar rate of nephrotoxicity. However, clinicians should be mindful of the increased risk for AKI in patients treated with either IV colistimethate sodium or IV tobramycin when used concurrently with other nephrotoxic agents, particularly the combination of vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam.
Objectives
This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviour in a representative sample of South Koreans with or without tinnitus.
Design
A cross‐sectional study.
Setting
...Based on data from the 2010 to 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
Participants
The study included 17 446 Korean individuals.
Main outcome measures
Participants provided demographic, socio‐economic and behavioural information, as well as responses to questionnaires assessing the presence and severity of tinnitus, mental health status regarding stress, depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts. In the univariate analysis, the Rao–Scott chi‐square test and logistic regression analysis were used to test the association between tinnitus and risk factors. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between tinnitus and mental status.
Results
A total of 20.9% and 1.2% of participants with tinnitus, and 12.2% and 0.6% of those without, reported suicidal ideation and attempts, respectively (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.001). Participants reporting suicide attempts showed a higher proportion of severe annoying (6.0%) and irritating (11.8%) tinnitus than those with suicidal ideation (1.4% and 10.2%, respectively). Risks for experiencing tinnitus were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts after adjusting for confounding variables.
Conclusion
This study has important implications for enhanced screening and evaluation of mental health status and suicidal ideation/behaviour among tinnitus patients.
Objectives
Although anemia and activities of daily living (ADL) disability in female elderly are common conditions and are more likely to occur as people age, little is known about the association of ...anemia with ADL in female centenarians. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between anemia and ADL disability in Chinese female centenarians.
Design, setting and participants
We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of a sample of 822 Chinese female centenarians from 2014 to 2016.
Measurements
Blood analysis, home interview, and physical examination were performed following standard procedures. ADL disability was defined as a Barthel Index total score≤60.
Results
The prevalence of anemia and ADL disability were 66.8% and 29.7% respectively in Chinese female centenarians. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that inflammation (OR = 2.280, 95% CI, 1.524–3.410), underweight (OR = 1.653, 95% CI, 1.186–2.303), anemia (OR = 1.775, 95% CI, 1.250–2.521), and living with family (OR = 0.518, 95% CI, 0.302–0.888) were significant factors related to ADL disability. Centenarians with severe anemia had an approximately fourfold greater likelihood of ADL disability than those without anemia (OR =3.747; 95% CI 1.525–9.206). An apparent dose-response relationship was found between anemia and ADL disability.
Conclusion
These findings may provide some insights into targeted intervention for maintaining ADL independence in female centenarians, especially encouraging the interventions of anemia to improve ADL.
In the past several years, advances in sequencing platforms and bioinformatics have transformed our understanding of the relationship between microbial ecology and human health. Both the normal and ...diseased lung are host to hundreds of bacterial genera, blurring the lines between “colonization” and “infection”. However, whereas in health the respiratory microbiome is determined primarily by the dynamic balance of immigration and elimination, in chronic disease conditions become much more favorable for the reproduction of resident bacteria. Recent studies demonstrate that the microbiota of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lung differ from the healthy lung although significant intrasubject and intersubject heterogeneity are still present with variation impacted by factors such as disease stage and inhaled medications. Changes in the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa during COPD exacerbations have also been noted although further longitudinal analyses are needed to ascertain the malleability and resilience of this ecological system and its role in the occurrence and frequency of exacerbations. Whether patients with a “frequent exacerbator” phenotype possess specific or greater alterations in their airway microbiome that predispose them to recurrent exacerbations as compared with nonfrequent exacerbators needs to be determined. Although recent data suggest that the presence of bacteria has the potential to influence the host immune response, a key challenge in the next few years will be to continue to move beyond descriptive studies to define the clinical relevance of differences in lung microbiota associated with COPD.
Background
The epidemiology of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease varies among ethnic populations worldwide. Trends in the incidence of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease have not been investigated based on ...the Korean National Health Insurance database.
Objectives
This study investigated the incidence and mortality of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease by age using nationwide population data in Korea.
Methods
A nationwide population‐based cohort study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease was calculated by age, sex, calendar year and habitat. And comorbid metabolic diseases were also analysed in patients with Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease.
Results
The annual incidence of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease per 100 000 person‐years was 3.976 (2.587 for males and 5.373 for females) from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease peaked among people in their 40s (6.561 per 100 000 person‐years). Incidence was significantly higher in subjects with comorbid metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The mortality rate per 1000 person‐years increased with age in patients with Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease.
Conclusions
This study showed the incidence, prevalence and mortality of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease. Metabolic conditions increased the risk of Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease among Koreans.
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