Abstract Ingestion of specific probiotics, namely “psychobiotics”, produces psychotropic effects on behavior and affects the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and neurochemicals in the brain. We ...examined the psychotropic effects of a potential psychobiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum strain PS128 (PS128), on mice subjected to early life stress (ELS) and on naïve adult mice. Behavioral tests revealed that chronic ingestion of PS128 increased the locomotor activities in both ELS and naïve adult mice in the open field test. In the elevated plus maze, PS128 significantly reduced the anxiety-like behaviors in naïve adult mice but not in the ELS mice; whereas the depression-like behaviors were reduced in ELS mice but not in naïve mice in forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. PS128 administration also reduced ELS-induced elevation of serum corticosterone under both basal and stressed states but had no effect on naïve mice. In addition, PS128 reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine level in the serum of ELS mice. Furthermore, the dopamine level in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was significantly increased in PS128 treated ELS and naïve adult mice whereas serotonin (5-HT) level was increased only in the naïve adult mice. These results suggest that chronic ingestion of PS128 could ameliorate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and modulate neurochemicals related to affective disorders. Thus PS128 shows psychotropic properties and has great potential for improving stress-related symptoms.
The new classification announced by the World Health Organization in 2016 recognized five molecular subtypes of diffuse gliomas based on isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and 1p/19q genotypes in ...addition to histologic phenotypes. We aim to determine whether clinical MRI can stratify these molecular subtypes to benefit the diagnosis and monitoring of gliomas.
The data from 456 subjects with gliomas were obtained from The Cancer Imaging Archive. Overall, 214 subjects, including 106 cases of glioblastomas and 108 cases of lower grade gliomas with preoperative MRI, survival data, histology, IDH, and 1p/19q status were included. We proposed a three-level machine-learning model based on multimodal MR radiomics to classify glioma subtypes. An independent dataset with 70 glioma subjects was further collected to verify the model performance.
The IDH and 1p/19q status of gliomas can be classified by radiomics and machine-learning approaches, with areas under ROC curves between 0.922 and 0.975 and accuracies between 87.7% and 96.1% estimated on the training dataset. The test on the validation dataset showed a comparable model performance with that on the training dataset, suggesting the efficacy of the trained classifiers. The classification of 5 molecular subtypes solely based on the MR phenotypes achieved an 81.8% accuracy, and a higher accuracy of 89.2% could be achieved if the histology diagnosis is available.
The MR radiomics-based method provides a reliable alternative to determine the histology and molecular subtypes of gliomas.
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Stepped-impedance resonators with different dimensions are used to design bandpass filters with a dual-passband response, as well as good rejection levels in the extended upper stopband. To achieve ...the goal, the resonators are designed to have two identical leading resonant frequencies, but dispersed higher order ones to make spurious peaks have low levels and small bandwidths. The stopband is then extended and the rejection levels are enhanced by collocating transmission zeros with the unwanted peaks. The zeros are tuned by adjusting the coupling lengths of the coupled stages and sliding the tap positions of the dual-band transformers along the end resonators. Measured results of two experimental circuits show a rejection level of 30 dB up to more than eight times the first passband frequency can be obtained. The measured data have good agreement with the simulation.
Predicting the risk of further infarct growth in stroke patients is critical to therapeutic decision making. We aimed to predict early infarct growth and clinical outcome from prominent vessel sign ...(PVS) identified on the first susceptibility-weighted image (SWI) after acute stroke.
Twenty-two patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction had diffusion-weighted imaging, SWI, MR angiography, and clinical evaluation using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 7-60 hours and 5-14 days after stroke onset. Late-stage clinical evaluation at 1 and 3 months used the modified Rankin Scale. The infarct area and growth were scored from 10 (none) to 0 (infarct or growth in all 10 zones) using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) system.
Infarct growth on the second MRI occurred in 13 of 15 patients with PVS on the first MRI and not in any patient without PVS (n=7; r=0.86, P<0.001). The extent of PVS was significantly correlated with infarct growth (r=0.82, P<0.001) and early-stage outcome (P=0.02). No between-group difference in late-stage clinical outcome was found.
PVS on the first SWI after acute MCA territory stroke is a useful predictor of early infarct growth. Extensive PVS within the large MCA territory is related to poor early-stage outcome and could be useful for clinical assessment of stroke.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Magnetic resonance imaging has previously demonstrated its potential for indirectly mapping myelin density, either by relaxometric detection of myelin water or magnetization transfer. Here, we ...investigated whether myelin can be detected and possibly quantified directly. We identified the spectrum of myelin in the spinal cord in situ as well as in myelin lipids extracted via a sucrose gradient method, and investigated its spectral properties. High-resolution solution NMR spectroscopy showed the extract composition to be in agreement with myelin’s known chemical make-up. The 400-MHz ¹H spectrum of the myelin extract, at 20 °C (room temperature) and 37 °C, consists of a narrow water resonance superimposed on a broad envelope shifted ∼3.5 ppm upfield, suggestive of long-chain methylene protons. Superimposed on this signal are narrow components resulting from functional groups matching the chemical shifts of the constituents making up myelin lipids. The spectrum could be modeled as a sum of super-Lorentzians with a T ₂* distribution covering a wide range of values (0.008–26 ms). Overall, there was a high degree of similarity between the spectral properties of extracted myelin lipids and those found in neural tissue. The normalized difference spectrum had the hallmarks of membrane proteins, not present in the myelin extract. Using 3D radially ramp-sampled proton MRI, with a combination of adiabatic inversion and echo subtraction, the feasibility of direct myelin imaging in situ is demonstrated. Last, the integrated signal from myelin suspensions is shown, both spectroscopically and by imaging, to scale with concentration, suggesting the potential for quantitative determination of myelin density.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptom is a troublesome upper esophageal problem, and reflux symptom index (RSI) is commonly applied for the assessment of clinical severity. We investigated the ...relationship between the upper esophageal sphincter impedance integral (UESII) and RSI scores in this study. Totally 158 subjects with high-resolution esophageal impedance manometry (HRIM) with RSI questionnaire assessment were recruited. There are 57 (36.08%), 74 (46.84%), 21 (13.29%), and 6 (3.79%) patients were categorized as normal, ineffective esophageal motility disorder, absent contractility, and achalasia by HRIM examination, respectively. Subjects with RSI > 13 were noted to have lower UESII than others with RSI ≦ 13 (7363.14 ± 1085.58 vs. 11,833.75 ± 918.77 Ω s cm; P < 0.005). The ROC analysis yielded a UESII cutoff of < 2900 Ω s cm for the best prediction of subjects with RSI > 13 (P = 0.002). Both female gender and UESII cutoff of < 2900 Ω s cm were significant predictors of RSI > 13 in logistic regression analysis (OR = 3.84 and 2.83; P = 0.001 and 0.01; respectively). Lower UESII on HRIM study, indicating poor bolus transit of UES during saline swallows, is significantly associated with prominent laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms scored by RSI score.
Background and Aim
We elucidated the clinical significance of distal contractile integral‐to‐esophageal impedance integral (EII) ratio (DCIIR) in ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) adult patients.
...Methods
We recruited 101 patients with IEM (48.38 ± 1.58 years) and 42 matched healthy volunteers (44.28 ± 1.85 years) in this case–control study. All subjects underwent esophageal high‐resolution impedance manometry from October 2014 to May 2018. The diagnosis of IEM was based on the Chicago Classification version 3.0. The EII, EII ratio, and DCIIR were analyzed by matlab software.
Results
The EII, EII ratio, and DCIIR calculated at an impedance threshold of 1500 Ω (EII1500, EII ratio1500, and DCIIR1500, respectively) were significantly lower in the IEM group than in healthy controls (P < 0.0001, < 0.0001, and < 0.0001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that DCIIR1500 < 0.008 mmHg/Ω, EII1500 > 71 000 Ω.s.cm, and EII ratio1500 > 0.43 were all predictive of IEM. Only DCIIR1500 < 0.008 mmHg/Ω remained significant in diagnosing IEM in the multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 72.13, P < 0.001). The DCIIR1500 is negatively correlated with Eckardt score and the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (correlation coefficient = −0.2844 and −0.3136; P = 0.0006 and 0.0002, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis further showed that a DCIIR1500 cut‐off of 0.002 mmHg/Ω achieved the best differentiation between the IEM‐alternans and IEM‐persistens subtypes among IEM patients (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
The novel pressure–impedance parameter of high‐resolution impedance manometry, DCIIR1500, may assist in the diagnosis and classification of IEM and correlated with clinical symptoms.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by starvation and malnutrition, a high prevalence of coexisting psychiatric conditions, marked ...treatment resistance, frequent medical complications, and a substantial risk of death. Body mass index (BMI) is a key measure of treatment outcome of AN and it is necessary to evaluate the long-term prognosis of AN. This study aimed to better assess the BMI course trend between different medications and timepoints in order to improve AN treatment in clinical practice.
During the period 2010-2021, we retrospectively reviewed historical data of all patients diagnosed with AN. There were two groups in this study, which were based on the duration of follow-up. Group A was a 6-month follow-up group, comprising 93 patients (mean age 19.6 ± 6.8 years), with BMI assessed at three consecutive time points: first outpatient visit (T0), three months follow-up (T3), and six months follow-up (T6). Group B was a 12-month follow-up group comprising 36 patients (mean age 17.0 ± 5.2 years) with BMI assessed at five consecutive time points: first outpatient visit (T0), three months follow-up (T3), six months follow-up (T6), nine months follow-up (T9), and twelve months follow-up (T12). In our study, we retrospectively compared BMI courses based on patients' usage of medication using the following variables: single medication, switching medications, combined medications, and without medications. The primary outcome measurement was BMI recorded at the 6-month follow-up and the 12-month follow-up respectively. In our study, which was conducted at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, we reviewed outpatient medical records of all patients with AN who were seen at the hospital during the period 2010-2021.
In Group A (6-month follow-up), patients treated with antidepressants showed a mean BMI increase of 1.3 (p < 0.001); patients treated with antipsychotics showed a mean BMI increase of 1.1 (p = 0.01); patients treated with switching medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.1 (p = 0.397); patients treated with combined medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.5 (p = 0.208); and patients treated without medications showed a mean BMI increase of 0.1 (p = 0.821). The results indicated that patients with AN had a significant BMI increase after treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics in the 6-month follow-up group. In Group B (12-month follow-up), patients treated with antidepressants showed a mean BMI increase of 2.7 (p < 0.001); patients treated with antipsychotics showed a mean BMI increase of 2.8 (p = 0.168); patients treated with switching medications showed a mean BMI decrease of 0.8 (p = 0.595); patients treated with combined medications showed a mean BMI increase of 1.6 (p = 0.368); and patients treated without medications showed a mean BMI increase of 1.0 (p = 0.262). The results indicated that patients with AN had a significant BMI increase after treatment with antidepressants at the 12-month follow-up.
AN is a complex disease caused by multiple factors. Evaluating its long-term prognosis is crucial. Our study provides insights and highlights three key findings: 1) medication adherence is crucial in treating AN, 2) frequent switching of medications may not promote weight gain and may also require a re-establishment of rapport with patients with AN, and 3) pharmacotherapy, especially antidepressants, is more effective than no treatment. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective
We aimed to validate a 2D radial T2* mapping method and its ability to reveal subtle alterations in the menisci of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
Of 40 enrolled ...participants, 20 were diagnosed with OA, and 20 were age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls. Data from the right knee of each participant were collected using a 1.5-T MRI equipped with a single-channel knee coil. T2* values were acquired using a conventional T2* mapping protocol and a radial T2* mapping method. Mean T2* values in the meniscal white zones, meniscal red zones, and total menisci were calculated. Numerical simulation was performed for validation.
Results
Both simulation and clinical data confirmed that 2D radial T2* mapping provided better discrimination than the conventional method. Compared to controls, the OA group showed significantly greater mean (standard deviation) T2* values in the white zones (9.33 2.29 ms vs. 6.04 1.05 ms), red zones (9.18 2.03 ms vs. 6.81 1.28 ms), and total menisci (9.26 2.06 ms vs. 6.34 1.14 ms). Correlations were found between the Lequesne index and the meniscal T2* values in all three regions (
r
= 0.528,
p
= 0.017;
r
= 0.635,
p
= 0.003; and
r
= 0.556,
p
= 0.011, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings indicate that in early OA, radial T2* mapping is an alternative means of assessing meniscal degeneration and can be used to monitor its progression.
Key Points
• Radial T2* mapping outperforms Cartesian T2* mapping.
• Radial T2* measurements are useful in assessing meniscal degeneration.
• Meniscal T2* values correlate well with disease severity.
We investigated the diagnostic performance of the anal sphincter relaxation integral (ASRI) for infants with Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
We performed water-perfused high-resolution anorectal ...manometry (HRAM) in 18 infants (9 with HD), and solid-state HRAM in another 18 infants (4 with HD). We calculated the ASRI during the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) maneuver at pressure cutoffs of <10 mmHg (ASRI 10) and <15 mmHg (ASRI 15). We investigated the diagnostic performance of the ASRI for HD in infants undergoing water-perfused and solid-state HRAM.
HD infants who underwent either water-perfused or solid-state HRAM had significantly lower ASRI 10 and ASRI 15 values, compared with non-HD infants (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). Using the water-perfused HRAM system, ASRI 10 and ASRI 15 values of <7 and <29 mmHg s.cm, respectively, exhibited good diagnostic performance for HD (88.89% and 88.89%, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that ASRI 10 and ASRI 15 values of <5.5 and <20 mmHg s.cm, respectively, were optimal for the diagnosis of HD infants when using the solid-state HRAM system, with high diagnostic accuracies of 83.33% and 83.33%, respectively.
ASRI may assist the diagnosis of HD infants using either water-perfused or solid-state HRAM. These systems require different catheter-specific ASRI cutoffs for the prediction of HD.
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