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CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Feb 2024The ATN's different modalities (fluids and neuroimaging) for each of the Aβ (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (N) elements are used for the biological diagnosis of...
OBJECTIVES
The ATN's different modalities (fluids and neuroimaging) for each of the Aβ (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (N) elements are used for the biological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aim to identify which ATN category achieves the highest potential for diagnosis and predictive accuracy of longitudinal cognitive decline.
METHODS
Based on the availability of plasma ATN biomarkers (plasma-derived Aβ , p-tau181, NFL, respectively), CSF ATN biomarkers (CSF-derived Aβ /Aβ , p-tau181, NFL), and neuroimaging ATN biomarkers (18F-florbetapir (FBP) amyloid-PET, 18F-flortaucipir (FTP) tau-PET, and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET), a total of 2340 participants were selected from ADNI.
RESULTS
Our data analysis indicates that the area under curves (AUCs) of CSF-A, neuroimaging-T, and neuroimaging-N were ranked the top three ATN candidates for accurate diagnosis of AD. Moreover, neuroimaging ATN biomarkers display the best predictive ability for longitudinal cognitive decline among the three categories. To note, neuroimaging-T correlates well with cognitive performances in a negative correlation manner. Meanwhile, participants in the "N" element positive group, especially the CSF-N positive group, experience the fastest cognitive decline compared with other groups defined by ATN biomarkers. In addition, the voxel-wise analysis showed that CSF-A related to tau accumulation and FDG-PET indexes more strongly in subjects with MCI stage. According to our analysis of the data, the best three ATN candidates for a precise diagnosis of AD are CSF-A, neuroimaging-T, and neuroimaging-N.
CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, our findings suggest that plasma, CSF, and neuroimaging biomarkers differ considerably within the ATN framework; the most accurate target biomarkers for diagnosing AD were the CSF-A, neuroimaging-T, and neuroimaging-N within each ATN modality. Moreover, neuroimaging-T and CSF-N both show excellent ability in the prediction of cognitive decline in two different dimensions.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Neuroimaging; Cognitive Dysfunction; Positron-Emission Tomography; Biomarkers; tau Proteins; Amyloid beta-Peptides
PubMed: 37438991
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14357 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Although the placement of an intraventricular catheter remains the gold standard method for the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension (ICH), the technique has several...
Although the placement of an intraventricular catheter remains the gold standard method for the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension (ICH), the technique has several limitations including but not limited to its invasiveness. Current noninvasive methods, however, still lack robust evidence to support their clinical use. We aimed to estimate, as an exploratory hypothesis generating analysis, the discriminative power of four noninvasive methods to diagnose ICH. We prospectively collected data from adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), and ischemic stroke (IS) in whom invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring had been placed. Measures were simultaneously collected from the following noninvasive methods: optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), pulsatility index (PI) using transcranial Doppler (TCD), a 5-point visual scale designed for brain Computed Tomography (CT), and two parameters (time-to-peak [TTP] and P2/P1 ratio) of a noninvasive ICP wave morphology monitor (Brain4Care[B4c]). ICH was defined as a sustained ICP > 20 mmHg for at least 5 min. We studied 18 patients (SAH = 14; ICH = 3; IS = 1) on 60 occasions with a mean age of 52 ± 14.3 years. All methods were recorded simultaneously, except for the CT, which was performed within 24 h of the other methods. The median ICP was 13 [9.8-16.2] mmHg, and intracranial hypertension was present on 18 occasions (30%). Median values from the noninvasive techniques were ONSD 4.9 [4.40-5.41] mm, PI 1.22 [1.04-1.43], CT scale 3 points [IQR: 3.0], P2/P1 ratio 1.16 [1.09-1.23], and TTP 0.215 [0.193-0.237]. There was a significant statistical correlation between all the noninvasive techniques and invasive ICP (ONSD, r = 0.29; PI, r = 0.62; CT, r = 0.21; P2/P1 ratio, r = 0.35; TTP, r = 0.35, p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The area under the curve (AUC) to estimate intracranial hypertension was 0.69 [CIs = 0.62-0.78] for the ONSD, 0.75 [95% CIs 0.69-0.83] for the PI, 0.64 [95%Cis 0.59-069] for CT, 0.79 [95% CIs 0.72-0.93] for P2/P1 ratio, and 0.69 [95% CIs 0.60-0.74] for TTP. When the various techniques were combined, an AUC of 0.86 [0.76-0.93]) was obtained. The best pair of methods was the TCD and B4cth an AUC of 0.80 (0.72-0.88). Noninvasive technique measurements correlate with ICP and have an acceptable discrimination ability in diagnosing ICH. The multimodal combination of PI (TCD) and wave morphology monitor may improve the ability of the noninvasive methods to diagnose ICH. The observed variability in non-invasive ICP estimations underscores the need for comprehensive investigations to elucidate the optimal method-application alignment across distinct clinical scenarios.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Intracranial Pressure; Sensitivity and Specificity; Optic Nerve; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial; Intracranial Hypertension; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Ischemic Stroke; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 37891406
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45834-5 -
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision... Aug 2023Differentiating between Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) with endoscopy is challenging. We aim to perform more accurate endoscopic diagnosis...
BACKGROUND
Differentiating between Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) with endoscopy is challenging. We aim to perform more accurate endoscopic diagnosis between CD and ITB by building a trustworthy AI differential diagnosis application.
METHODS
A total of 1271 electronic health record (EHR) patients who had undergone colonoscopies at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) and were clinically diagnosed with CD (n = 875) or ITB (n = 396) were used in this study. We build a workflow to make diagnoses with EHRs and mine differential diagnosis features; this involves finetuning the pretrained language models, distilling them into a light and efficient TextCNN model, interpreting the neural network and selecting differential attribution features, and then adopting manual feature checking and carrying out debias training.
RESULTS
The accuracy of debiased TextCNN on differential diagnosis between CD and ITB is 0.83 (CR F1: 0.87, ITB F1: 0.77), which is the best among the baselines. On the noisy validation set, its accuracy was 0.70 (CR F1: 0.87, ITB: 0.69), which was significantly higher than that of models without debias. We also find that the debiased model more easily mines the diagnostically significant features. The debiased TextCNN unearthed 39 diagnostic features in the form of phrases, 17 of which were key diagnostic features recognized by the guidelines.
CONCLUSION
We build a trustworthy AI differential diagnosis application for differentiating between CD and ITB focusing on accuracy, interpretability and robustness. The classifiers perform well, and the features which had statistical significance were in agreement with clinical guidelines.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal; Colonoscopy
PubMed: 37582768
DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02257-6 -
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and... Jun 2024The way physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) independently and interactively modify the age-related decline in physical capacity remains poorly...
BACKGROUND
The way physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) independently and interactively modify the age-related decline in physical capacity remains poorly understood. This cross-sectional study investigated the independent and interactive associations of PA and SB with physical function and performance throughout the adult life course.
METHODS
Data from 499 community-dwelling adults (63% female) aged 20-92 years, involved in the INSPIRE Human Translational Cohort, were used in this cross-sectional study. Daily time spent on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, min/day) and SB (h/day) was measured with activPAL triaxial accelerometers. Physical function and performance were assessed through the measurement of the 4-m usual gait speed (m/s), handgrip strength (kg), lower-limb strength (isokinetic knee extension torque, N·m), estimated lower-limb power (five-time chair-rise test performance, s) and cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇Omax, mL/kg/min). Confounder-adjusted multiple linear and curvilinear regressions were performed to investigate how MVPA, SB and their interactions were associated with the physical outcomes (all square root-transformed except gait speed) throughout the adulthood spectrum.
RESULTS
Interaction analyses revealed that the combination of higher levels of MVPA with lower levels of SB favourably reshaped the negative relationship between handgrip strength and age (age × SB × MVPA: B = -7E-08, SE = 3E-08, P < 0.05). In addition, higher levels of MVPA were independently associated with an improved age-related profile in gait speed (age × MVPA: B = 3E-06, SE = 1E-06, P < 0.05), chair-rise performance (age × MVPA: B = -9E-05, SE = 4E-05, P < 0.05) and V̇Omax (MVPA at 21 years: B = 3E-02, SE = 7E-03, P < 0.05; age × MVPA: B = -5E-04, SE = 2E-04, P < 0.05). Conversely, the detrimental association of age with lower-limb muscle strength (age × SB: B = -1E-04, SE = 6E-05, P < 0.05) and chair-rise performance (age × SB: B = 1E-05, SE = 7E-06, P < 0.05) was exacerbated with increasing duration of SB, independently of MVPA. Supplementary analyses further revealed that some of these associations were age and sex specific.
CONCLUSIONS
This cross-sectional study demonstrated that reduced sedentary time and increased activity duration were independently and synergistically associated with an attenuated age-related loss in physical capacity. These findings need to be confirmed with longitudinal data but encourage both adopting an active lifestyle and reducing sedentary time as preventive measures against physical aging.
Topics: Humans; Sedentary Behavior; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Aged, 80 and over; Young Adult; Hand Strength; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 38638004
DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13457 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Oct 2023To determine whether there is a correlation between stiffness measured by strain elastography and the severity of dysmenorrhea and to determine the value of elastography... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
To determine whether there is a correlation between stiffness measured by strain elastography and the severity of dysmenorrhea and to determine the value of elastography in evaluating severe dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis.
METHODS
The correlation between tissue stiffness and dysmenorrhea was analyzed by performing elastography on premenopausal women diagnosed with adenomyosis. Expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) were detected by immunohistochemistry; the correlation of TGF-β and α-SMA levels with the tissue stiffness and the degree of fibrosis was further analyzed. Also, the relationship of the PGP9.5 expression level with the tissue stiffness and degree of dysmenorrhea was determined.
RESULTS
The degree of dysmenorrhea was significantly positively correlated with lesion stiffness in patients with adenomyosis but not with the uterine or lesion volume. The cutoff for the strain ratio was > 1.36 between the adenomyosis and control groups, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987. For severe dysmenorrhea, the cutoff for the strain ratio was > 1.65 in patients with adenomyosis, with an AUC of 0.849. TGF-β, α-SMA, and PGP9.5 expression levels were higher in adenomyotic lesions than in the endometrium of the adenomyosis and control groups. Both TGF-β and α-SMA levels were positively correlated with the tissue stiffness and degree of fibrosis. Additionally, the expression level of PGP9.5 showed a positive correlation with the tissue stiffness and degree of dysmenorrhea.
CONCLUSIONS
Elastography can be used to evaluate the degree of dysmenorrhea; the greater the tissue stiffness, the greater the degree of dysmenorrhea. In addition, elastography performed well in the diagnosis of adenomyosis and the evaluation of severe dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adenomyosis; Dysmenorrhea; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Fibrosis
PubMed: 37884924
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01145-y -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2023Endocervical sampling is performed traditionally with an endocervical curette (ECC). The current study objective is to compare the histopathological performance of... (Review)
Review
Endocervical sampling is performed traditionally with an endocervical curette (ECC). The current study objective is to compare the histopathological performance of endocervical brush (ECB) and endocervical curette (ECC). A retrospective review was performed including patients included that underwent colposcopy with endocervical sampling using either method. A total of 127 samples were obtained with ECC and 98 with ECB. Histopathological diagnosis was obtained in 124 (97.6%) ECC samples and in 94 (95.9%) ECB samples ( = 0.46). The incidence of benign results was similar between ECC and ECB (117 (92.1%) versus 88 (89.8%) respectively ( = 0.28)). When combining information from endocervical sampling with cervical biopsies, the detection rate of high-grade pathologies was similar between the groups with 14 cases (17.7%) for ECC and 8 cases (17.0%) for ECB ( = 0.43). A scope review of the topic was performed, illustrating that studies favour either method. In conclusion, ECB and ECC perform similarly for providing a histopathological diagnosis on endocervical samples.IMPACT STATEMENT Endocervical samples in colposcopy were traditionally obtained using an endocervical curette. Similarly, a brush can be used for histological sampling of the endocervical canal. However, it is unclear how the ability to obtain a histopathological diagnosis compares between the two techniques. This single-institution experience with using endocervical brush and curette for endocervical sampling finds that both methods are acceptable and have a high ability to provide a histopathological diagnosis. Precisely, 4.1% of brush and 2.4% of curette samples had insufficient tissue. The endocervical brush is an adequate sampling method for colposcopy, and can be safely used instead of the curette, based on clinician preference. Further studies could investigate how these methods compare from a patient perspective.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Cervix Uteri; Vaginal Smears; Specimen Handling; Colposcopy; Curettage; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Biopsy; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
PubMed: 36689210
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2162866 -
MedEdPORTAL : the Journal of Teaching... 2023Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 is associated with a high degree of progression to cervical cancer. Its risk is markedly reduced after excisional treatment. Hence,...
INTRODUCTION
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 is associated with a high degree of progression to cervical cancer. Its risk is markedly reduced after excisional treatment. Hence, it is critical that providers accurately diagnose and treat this condition. We present a simulation-based module focused on resident mastery of performance of colposcopy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
METHODS
Learners were obstetrics and gynecology residents. Guidelines on performance of colposcopy and LEEP were presented prior to module participation. We used pelvic task trainers, kielbasa sausages, and routine equipment for performance of colposcopy and LEEP. Colposcopy and LEEP sessions each lasted 30 minutes. Learners completed questionnaires before and after regarding comfort level on aspects of colposcopy and LEEP performance and level of agreement with statements on performing procedures independently. Comfort levels and degrees of agreement were based on 5-point Likert scales (1 = 3 = 5 = respectively).
RESULTS
Modules were held in November 2021 and May 2022. Thirty-four residents participated. Mean comfort scores significantly increased from 3.1 to 4.3 ( < .001) before and after the module for all steps. There was an increase in level of agreement with statements on being able to independently perform colposcopy (2.2 to 3.5, < .01) and LEEP (2.9 to 3.6, = .06).
DISCUSSION
Simulation-based modules on performance of colposcopy and LEEP significantly increased resident learner comfort in the performance of these procedures. Comfort in performing these procedures is important in providing comprehensive gynecologic care.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Colposcopy; Electrosurgery; Computer Simulation; Obstetrics; Pelvis
PubMed: 37691878
DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11344 -
CoDAS 2023To develop an assessment protocol for speech motor planning with phonologically balanced stimuli for Brazilian Portuguese, including all necessary variables for this...
PURPOSE
To develop an assessment protocol for speech motor planning with phonologically balanced stimuli for Brazilian Portuguese, including all necessary variables for this diagnosis.
METHODS
Three stages were carried out: In the first, word lists were built with the main criterion being syllabic and accentual patterns. From the survey conducted in Stage 1, the words that composed the first version of the protocol lists in Stage 2 were selected, and grouped into two fundamental tasks for diagnosing acquired apraxia of speech (AOS): repetition and Reading Aloud (RA). In Stage 3, the occurrence of words was investigated using the Brazilian Corpus (PUC-SP) - Linguateca database, and a statistical analysis was performed to verify if the repetition and RA lists were balanced in terms of the occurrences. Thus, the lists were distributed in quartiles and submitted to both descriptive and bivariate analyses. A significance level of 5% (p<0.05) was adopted.
RESULTS
After completion of all stages, the words that composed the lists of the repetition and RA tasks were obtained. Finally, other tasks considered essential for the assessment of AOS, such as diadochokinetic rates and the board for spontaneous oral emission, were then added to the protocol.
CONCLUSION
The developed protocol contains the tasks considered standard for the assessment of AOS according to the international literature, which makes this instrument important for diagnosing this disorder in speakers of Brazilian Portuguese.
Topics: Humans; Speech; Speech Disorders; Speech Production Measurement; Apraxias; Language
PubMed: 37851756
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20232022251pt -
Reumatologia Clinica Apr 2024Temporal arteritis (TA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. Its diagnosis is based on criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (1990), and... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
UNLABELLED
Temporal arteritis (TA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. Its diagnosis is based on criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (1990), and its treatment is high-dose corticosteroids. Our objective is to assess the cost of diagnosing TA, and secondarily, cost-effective analysis of different diagnostic strategies (clinical, biopsy, doppler ultrasound) and therapeutic strategies (corticosteroid suspension).
MATERIAL AND METHOD
Observational, retrospective study has been carried out on patients with AT (2012-2021). Demographic data, comorbidities, signs and symptoms suggestive of AT were collected. AT was diagnosed with a score ≥ 3 according to American College of Rheumatoloy criteria (ACR-SCORE). The costs of diagnosis and treatment modification were analysed.
RESULTS
Seventy-five patients have been included, median age 77 (46-87) years. Headache, temporal pain and jaw claudication were significant for the diagnosis of TA. Patients with a halo on Doppler ultrasound and a positive biopsy have significantly elevated ESR and CRP compared to patients who do not. The cost of the AT diagnosis was 414.7 euros/patient. If we use ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-echodoppler it is 167.2 є/patient (savings 59.6%) and ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-biopsy 339.75 є/patient (savings 18%). If the corticosteroid was removed and a biopsy was performed, 21.6 є/patient (94.7% savings), if the corticosteroid was removed and Doppler ultrasound was performed, 10.6 є/patient (97.4% savings).
CONCLUSIONS
Headache, temporary pain and jaw claudication are predictors of AT. Elevated ESR and CRP are predictors of positive biopsy and presence of halo on ultrasound. The uses of ACR-SCORE ≥ 3 with Doppler ultrasound or biopsy, and with corticosteroid suspension, are cost-effective.
Topics: Humans; Giant Cell Arteritis; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Biopsy; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
PubMed: 38614886
DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2024.04.003