Background
Although positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid measurements of amyloid and tau burden are available for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, such methods are ...invasive and not easily accessible. Recent studies show that Alzheimer’s Disease‐resemblance atrophy index (AD‐RAI), an MRI‐based machine learning‐derived biomarker, and plasma‐based biomarkers can be used as accurate biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease pathology. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic metrics of AD‐RAI and plasma‐based biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer’s disease.
Method
We recruited 69 subjects from the CU‐SEEDS (The Chinese University of Hong Kong‐Screening for Early AlzhEimer’s DiseaSe) study who were stroke‐free and had different degrees of cognitive impairment: 8 cognitive unimpaired CU, 26 with subjective cognitive decline SCD, 21 with mild cognitive impairment MCI and 14 with dementia. All subjects underwent 11C‐ PIB and 18F‐T807 PET to measure pathological Aβ deposition (A+) and tau burden (T+). Subjects received structural MRI for deriving AD‐RAI. Plasma levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, total tau (t‐tau), phosphorylated tau at 181 (p‐tau181), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were measured by Single Molecule Array (SiMoA) assays.
Result
Among 69 subjects (mean SD age, 67.7 6.8 years; 28 men 40.6%), 25 (36.23%) subjects were confirmed to be A+ and T+. AD‐RAI, plasma p‐tau 181, and plasma Aβ42 were associated with A+T+ after adjusting for age, gender, and education (p<0.01). AD‐RAI individually outperformed all plasma‐based biomarkers (AUC = 0.911; Sensitivity = 0.826; Specificity = 0.905). The combination of AD‐RAI, p‐tau181 and Aβ42 yielded the best diagnostic metrics for detecting A+T+ subjects (AUC = 0.957; Sensitivity = 0.870; Specificity = 0.929).
Conclusion
A panel of AD‐RAI, plasma p‐tau, and plasma Aβ42 might help with screening and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Background
Although positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid measurements of amyloid and tau burden are available for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, such methods are ...invasive and not easily accessible. Recent studies show that Alzheimer’s Disease‐resemblance atrophy index (AD‐RAI), an MRI‐based machine learning‐derived biomarker, and plasma‐based biomarkers can be used as accurate biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease pathology. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic metrics of AD‐RAI and plasma‐based biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer’s disease.
Method
We recruited 69 subjects from the CU‐SEEDS (The Chinese University of Hong Kong‐Screening for Early AlzhEimer’s DiseaSe) study who were stroke‐free and had different degrees of cognitive impairment: 8 cognitive unimpaired CU, 26 with subjective cognitive decline SCD, 21 with mild cognitive impairment MCI and 14 with dementia. All subjects underwent 11C‐ PIB and 18F‐T807 PET to measure pathological Aß deposition (A+) and tau burden (T+). Subjects received structural MRI for deriving AD‐RAI. Plasma levels of Aß40, Aß42, total tau (t‐tau), phosphorylated tau at 181 (p‐tau181), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were measured by Single Molecule Array (SiMoA) assays.
Result
Among 69 subjects (mean SD age, 67.7 6.8 years; 28 men 40.6%), 25 (36.23%) subjects were confirmed to be A+ and T+. AD‐RAI, plasma p‐tau 181, and plasma Aß42 were associated with A+T+ after adjusting for age, gender, and education (p<0.01). AD‐RAI individually outperformed all plasma‐based biomarkers (AUC = 0.911; Sensitivity = 0.826; Specificity = 0.905). The combination of AD‐RAI, p‐tau181 and Aß42 yielded the best diagnostic metrics for detecting A+T+ subjects (AUC = 0.957; Sensitivity = 0.870; Specificity = 0.929).
Conclusion
A panel of AD‐RAI, plasma p‐tau, and plasma Aß42 might help with screening and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Background:
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a major cause of stroke and dementia. Previous studies on the prevalence of cSVD are mostly based on single geographically defined cohorts in ...high-income countries. Studies investigating the prevalence of cSVD in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are expanding but have not been systematically assessed.
Aim:
This study aims to systematically review the prevalence of cSVD in LMICs.
Results:
Articles were searched from the Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2022, without language restrictions. Title/abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction were performed by two to seven independent reviewers. The prevalence of cSVD and study sample size were extracted by pre-defined world regions and health status. The Risk of Bias for Non-randomized Studies tool was used. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022311133). A meta-analysis of proportion was performed to assess the prevalence of different magnetic resonance imaging markers of cSVD, and a meta-regression was performed to investigate associations between cSVD prevalence and type of study, age, and male: female ratio. Of 2743 studies identified, 42 studies spanning 12 global regions were included in the systematic review. Most of the identified studies were from China (n = 23). The median prevalence of moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) was 20.5%, 40.5%, and 58.4% in the community, stroke, and dementia groups, respectively. The median prevalence of lacunes was 0.8% and 33.5% in the community and stroke groups. The median prevalence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) was 10.7% and 22.4% in the community and stroke groups. The median prevalence of moderate-to-severe perivascular spaces was 25.0% in the community. Meta-regression analyses showed that the weighted median age (51.4 ± 0.0 years old; range: 36.3–80.2) was a significant predictor of the prevalence of moderate-to-severe WMH and lacunes, while the type of study was a significant predictor of the prevalence of CMB. The heterogeneity of studies was high (>95%). Male participants were overrepresented.
Conclusions:
This systematic review and meta-analysis provide data on cSVD prevalence in LMICs and demonstrated the high prevalence of the condition. cSVD research in LMICs is being published at an increasing rate, especially between 2010 and 2022. More data are particularly needed from Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Despite the remarkable progress of optoelectronic devices based on hybrid perovskites, there are significant drawbacks, which have largely hindered their development as an alternative of silicon. For ...instance, hybrid perovskites are well‐known to suffer from moisture instability which leads to surface degradation. Nonetheless, the dependence of the surface effect on the moisture stability and optoelectronic properties of hybrid perovskites has not been fully investigated. In this work, the influence of the surface effect of 2D layered perovskites before and after mechanical exfoliation, representing rough and smooth surfaces of perovskite crystals, are studied. It is found that the smooth 2D perovskite is less sensitive to ambient moisture and exhibits a considerably low dark current, which outperforms the rough perovskites by 23.6 times in terms of photodetectivity. The superior moisture stability of the smooth perovskites over the rough perovskites is demonstrated. Additionally, ethanolamine is employed as an organic linker of the 2D layered perovskite, which further improves the moisture stability. This work reveals the strong dependence of the surface conditions of 2D hybrid perovskite crystals on their moisture stability and optoelectronic properties, which are of utmost importance to the design of practical optoelectronic devices based on hybrid perovskite crystals.
The influence of the surface effect of 2D layered perovskites before and after mechanical exfoliation is studied. The smooth 2D perovskite is less sensitive to ambient moisture and exhibits a considerably low dark current. This work reveals the strong dependence of the surface condition of 2D hybrid perovskite crystals on their moisture stability and optoelectronic properties.
A 16-channel closed-loop neuromodulation system-on-chip (SoC) for human epileptic seizure control is proposed and designed. In the proposed SoC, a 16-channel neural-signal acquisition unit (NSAU), a ...biosignal processor (BSP), a 16-channel high-voltage-tolerant stimulator (HVTS), and wireless power and bidirectional data telemetry are designed. In the NSAU, the input protection circuit is used to prevent MOSFET from overstressing by the high-voltage stimulations. Hence, NSAUs can share electrodes with stimulators. The auto-reset chopper-stabilized capacitive-coupled instrumentation amplifiers (AR-CSCCIAs) are designed with the chopper-stabilized technique with a new offset reduction loop. The measured input-referred noise is 2.09 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu \textrm {V}_{\mathrm {rms}} </tex-math></inline-formula> and the noise-efficiency factor (NEF) is 3.78. The entropy-and-spectrum seizure detection algorithm is implemented in the BSP with 0.76-s seizure detection latency and 97.8% detection accuracy. When the seizure onset is detected by the BSP, the HVTS with adaptive supply control delivers 0.5-3-mA biphasic current stimulation to suppress the seizure onset. The proposed SoC is powered wirelessly, and the bidirectional data telemetry is realized through the same pair of coils in 13.56 MHz. The downlink data rate is 211 Kb/s with the binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) modulation and a new BPSK demodulator. The uplink data rate is 106 Kb/s with the load-shift keying (LSK) modulation. The proposed SoC is fabricated in a 0.18-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu \text{m} </tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS technology and occupies 25 mm 2 . Electrical tests have been performed to characterize the SoC performance. In vivo animal experiments using mini-pigs have been performed to successfully verify the closed-loop neuromodulation functions on epileptic seizure suppression.
In article number 1804372, Jr‐Hau He and co‐workers study the influences of the surface effect of 2D layered perovskites before and after mechanical exfoliation. The smooth 2D perovskite is less ...sensitive to ambient moisture and exhibits a considerably low dark current. This work reveals the strong dependence of the surface condition of 2D hybrid perovskite crystals on their moisture stability and optoelectronic properties.
Background
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model has been applied in post-stroke rehabilitation, yet limited studies explored its clinical application on ...enhancing patients’ Activity and Participation (ICF-A&P) level.
Purpose
This study gathered evidence of the effects of an ICF-based post-stroke rehabilitation program (ICF-PSRP) in enhancing community reintegration in terms of ICF-A&P of post-stroke patients.
Methods
Fifty-two post-stroke patients completed an 8 to 12 weeks multidisciplinary ICF-PSRP after setting personal treatment goals in an outpatient community rehabilitation center. Intake and pre-discharge assessments were administered for primary outcomes of Body function (ICF-BF; e.g., muscle strength) and ICF-A&P (e.g., mobility), and secondary outcomes of perceived improvements in ability (e.g., goal attainment and quality of life).
Results
There were significantly higher levels in the ICF-BF and ICF-A&P domains, except cognitive function under the ICF-BF. Improvements in the primary outcomes predicted corresponding secondary outcomes. Firstly, expressive and receptive functions (ICP-BF) were mediated by the everyday language (ICF-A&P) which predicted patients’ satisfaction with the language-related quality of life. Secondly, upper extremity function (ICP-BF) was mediated by the lower extremity mobility (ICF-A&P) predicting work and productivity-related quality of life. Content analyses showed that combined ICF-BF and ICF-A&P contents throughout the ICF-PSRP contributed to the positive treatment effects.
Conclusion
The ICF-PSRP was effective in promoting body function, and activity and participation levels of post-stroke patients. Positive treatment effects are characterized by goal-setting process, cross-domain content design, and community-setting delivery.
Clinical trial registration
:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05941078?id=NCT05941078&rank=1
, identifier NCT05941078.
The airway epithelium participates in asthmatic inflammation in many ways. Target cells of the epithelium can respond to a variety of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Damage to the surface ...epithelium occurs following the secretion of eosinophil-derived, highly toxic cationic proteins. Moreover, the surface epithelium itself is responsible for the synthesis and release of cytokines that cause the selective recruitment, retention, and accumulation of various inflammatory cells. To mimic the damage seen during asthmatic inflammation, the bronchial epithelium can be challenged with highly charged cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine.
In this study, human bronchial epithelial cells, 16HBE14o- cells, were "chemically injured" by exposing them to poly-l-arginine as a surrogate of the eosinophil cationic protein. Cytokine antibody array data showed that seven inflammatory mediators were elevated out of the 40 tested, including marked elevation in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 secretion. IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression levels were elevated as measured with real-time PCR. Cell culture supernatants from apical and basolateral compartments were collected, and the IL-6 and IL-8 production was quantified with ELISA. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by 16HBE14o- epithelia into the apical compartment was significantly higher than that from the basolateral compartment. Using specific inhibitors, the production of IL-6 and IL-8 was found to be dependent on p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 MAPK, and NF-kappaB pathways.
The results clearly demonstrate that damage to the bronchial epithelia by poly-L-arginine stimulates polarized IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. This apically directed secretion of cytokines may play an important role in orchestrating epithelial cell responses to inflammation.
Background
Body functions and structures, activities, and participation are the core components in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) to identify ...post-stroke patients' health conditions. The specification of health conditions enhances the outcomes of post-stroke rehabilitation.
Purpose
This study aimed to explore the extent and the processes in an ICF-based post-stroke rehabilitation program (ICF-PSRP) that could enhance patients' community reintegration level.
Methods
Post-stroke patients who completed the ICF-PSRP participated in intake and pre-discharge individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. In addition, case therapists were invited to a face-to-face semi-structured group interview. Clinician experts were invited to complete an interview with the same interview contents as case therapists but in an online format. All interview recordings were analyzed with the Framework analysis. Patients' treatment goals were mapped with the ICF Core Set for Stroke.
Results
Out of 37 invited post-stroke patients, thirty-three of them completed the interview. Three case therapists and five clinicians completed the interviews. The goals set by the patients and their caregivers showed a broadening of their scope over the course of the program. The changes in scope ranged from the activities to the participation and environmental components. Increases in patient-therapist interactions played an essential role in the goal-setting process, which were integral to personalizing the treatment content. These characteristics were perceived by all parties who contributed to the program outcomes.
Conclusion
The application of ICF's principles and core components offers a useful framework for enhancing post-stroke patients' community reintegration level. Future studies should explore the way in which patient-therapist interaction, exposure to environmental factors, and personalized interventions maximize the benefits of applying this framework to the community integration of post-stroke patients.
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