-
Neuroimaging Clinics of North America Aug 2024In recent decades, advances in neuroimaging have profoundly transformed our comprehension of central nervous system demyelinating diseases. Remarkable technological... (Review)
Review
In recent decades, advances in neuroimaging have profoundly transformed our comprehension of central nervous system demyelinating diseases. Remarkable technological progress has enabled the integration of cutting-edge acquisition and postprocessing techniques, proving instrumental in characterizing subtle focal changes, diffuse microstructural alterations, and macroscopic pathologic processes. This review delves into state-of-the-art modalities applied to multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Furthermore, it explores how this dynamic landscape holds significant promise for the development of effective and personalized clinical management strategies, encompassing support for differential diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring treatment response, and patient stratification.
Topics: Humans; Neuroimaging; Brain; Demyelinating Diseases; Neuromyelitis Optica; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 38942520
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2024.03.003 -
Cognitive Neuropsychology Jun 2024We present a case study detailing cognitive performance, functional neuroimaging, and effects of a hypothesis-driven treatment in a 10-year-old girl diagnosed with...
We present a case study detailing cognitive performance, functional neuroimaging, and effects of a hypothesis-driven treatment in a 10-year-old girl diagnosed with complete, isolated corpus callosum agenesis. Despite having average overall intellectual abilities, the girl exhibited profound surface dyslexia and dysgraphia. Spelling treatment significantly and persistently improved her spelling of trained irregular words, and this improvement generalized to reading accuracy and speed of trained words. Diffusion weighted imaging revealed strengthened intrahemispheric white matter connectivity of the left temporal cortex after treatment and identified interhemispheric connectivity between the occipital lobes, likely facilitated by a pathway crossing the midline via the posterior commissure. This case underlines the corpus callosum's critical role in lexical reading and writing. It demonstrates that spelling treatment may enhance interhemispheric connectivity in corpus callosum agenesis through alternative pathways, boosting the development of a more efficient functional organization of the visual word form area within the left temporo-occipital cortex.
PubMed: 38942485
DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2024.2368876 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Thiosulfate has been considered as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to cyanide salts for the extraction of gold from gold ores and the development of...
Thiosulfate has been considered as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to cyanide salts for the extraction of gold from gold ores and the development of affordable, green and efficient adsorbents for the isolation of gold-thiosulfate complex (Au(SO)) from the leaching solution remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, chitosan, a natural macromolecule, was selected as a carrier and chemically modified with ionic liquids. The ionic liquids modified chitosan showed greater adsorption capacity towards Au(SO) compared with pristine chitosan. The adsorption of Au(SO) on ionic liquid modified chitosan followed Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic models, involving an anion-exchange mechanism with liquid film diffusion as the rate-limiting step. The chitosan modified with butylimidazolium-based ionic liquid modified had an adsorption capacity of 5.0 mg g for Au(SO) (10 mg L, pH 6, 2 g L of adsorbent dosage), outperforming other reported adsorbents. The ionic liquid modified chitosan showed a high adsorption efficiency of up to 96.7 % for Au(SO) in an actual thiosulfate leaching solution with a desorption efficiency of 98.4 %, suggesting that the ionic liquid modified chitosan has the potential to be a eco-friendly, biocompatible and effective adsorbent for the recovery of Au(SO).
PubMed: 38942407
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133481 -
The Spine Journal : Official Journal of... Jun 2024Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) has been established as an effective treatment for degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, there is a potential...
BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) has been established as an effective treatment for degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, there is a potential risk of lumbar plexus damage associated with XLIF, especially during surgeries at the L4-5 segment. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) evaluates the directional diffusion of water molecules in tissue, providing a more intricate depiction of internal tissue microstructure compared to conventional MRI techniques. The capability of DTI sequences to elucidate the three-dimensional interplay between lumbar nerve pathways and adjacent musculoskeletal structures, potentially reducing the incidence of nerve injury complications related to XLIF, remains to be established.
PURPOSE
This study evaluates the effectiveness of preoperative Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in reducing neurological complications after Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) surgeries at the L4-5 level, focusing on the interaction between lumbar nerves and the psoas major muscle.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case-control study.
PATIENT SAMPLE
The study included 128 patients undergoing XLIF surgery for degenerative disorders at the L4-5 segment: 68 in the traditional group and 62 in the DTI group.
OUTCOME MEASURES
The study assessed Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, along with complication rates. It also documented psoas major muscle morphology and its correlation with nerve pathways.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 128 patients undergoing XLIF surgery for degenerative disorders at the L4-5 segment between February 2020 and August 2022 was conducted. The cohort was divided into a traditional group (68 patients) receiving pre-surgery MRI scans to identify surgical entry points at the intervertebral space midpoint (Zones II-III junction) and a DTI group (62 patients) who additionally underwent preoperative DTI to customize entry points. The study evaluated VAS and ODI scores, complication rates, psoas major muscle morphology, and its interaction with nerve pathways.
RESULTS
The traditional group uniformly chose the Zone II-III junction for entry. In contrast, the DTI group's entry points varied. Postoperative follow-up revealed significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores in both groups. However, the DTI group experienced fewer immediate postoperative complications such as thigh pain, numbness, and motor disturbances. The study also noted a ventral shift in nerve positioning in patients with elevated psoas muscles.
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative DTI effectively maps the relationship between the psoas major muscle and lumbar nerves. Tailoring surgical entry points based on DTI results significantly reduces the risk of nerve damage in XLIF surgeries. The study underscores the importance of recognizing variability in lumbar nerve pathways due to differing psoas muscle morphologies, highlighting a higher risk of nerve injury in patients with elevated psoas muscles during XLIF procedures.
PubMed: 38942298
DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.06.017 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate the impact of amorphous solubility and colloidal drug-rich droplets on drug absorption. The amorphous solubility of cilnidipine (CND) in...
This study aimed to investigate the impact of amorphous solubility and colloidal drug-rich droplets on drug absorption. The amorphous solubility of cilnidipine (CND) in AS-HF grade of hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) solution was significantly reduced compared to that in non-polymer solution due to AS-HF partitioning into the CND-rich phase. In contrast, AS-LF grade of HPMC-AS has minimal effect on the amorphous solubility. The size of colloidal CND-rich droplets formed in the CND-supersaturated solution was less than 100 nm in the presence of AS-HF, while 200-450 nm in the presence of AS-LF. When the CND concentrations were near the amorphous solubility, CND membrane flux was reduced in the presence of AS-HF due to the decrease in the amorphous solubility of CND. However, the CND flux increased with the increase in CND-rich droplets, especially in the AS-HF solution. The size reduction of the CND-rich droplets led to their effective diffusion into the unstirred water layer, enhancing CND flux. In higher CND concentration regions, the CND flux became higher in the AS-HF solution than in the AS-LF solution. Thus, it is essential to elucidate the drug concentration-dependent impact of the colloidal drug-rich droplets on the drug absorption performance to optimize supersaturating formulations.
PubMed: 38942292
DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.06.017 -
International Journal of Antimicrobial... Jun 2024Bacteroides fragilis is the most frequent cause of anaerobic bacteraemia. Although recent data suggest a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of this and other...
BACKGROUND
Bacteroides fragilis is the most frequent cause of anaerobic bacteraemia. Although recent data suggest a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of this and other anaerobic bacteria, surveillance remains limited due to a lack of both data availability and comparability. However, a newly introduced standardised method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of anaerobic bacteria has made larger scale surveillance possible for the first time.
AIM
To investigate phenotypic AMR of Bacteroides fragilis isolates from bacteraemia across Europe in 2022.
METHODS
In a multicentre approach, clinical microbiology laboratories in Europe were invited to contribute results of AST for Bacteroides fragilis blood culture isolates (including only the first isolate per patient and year). AST of a selection of four antibiotics was performed locally by participating laboratories in a prospective or retrospective manner, using the new EUCAST disc diffusion method on fastidious anaerobe agar (FAA-HB).
RESULTS
A total of 16 European countries reported antimicrobial susceptibilities in 449 unique isolates of Bacteroides fragilis from blood cultures in 2022. Clindamycin demonstrated the highest resistance rates (20.9%, range 0 - 63.6%), followed by piperacillin-tazobactam (11.1%, 0 - 54.5%), meropenem (13.4%, 0 - 45.5%), and metronidazole (1.8%, 0 - 20.0%), all with wide variation between countries.
CONCLUSION
Considering that the mean resistance rates across Europe were higher than expected for three of the four anti-anaerobic antibiotics under surveillance, both local AST of clinically relevant isolates of Bacteroides fragilis and continued surveillance on an international level is warranted.
PubMed: 38942247
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107241 -
Chemosphere Jun 2024This study proposes a novel and eco-friendly approach for wastewater treatment using plasma jet technology under bubble condition. This method allows for the controlled...
This study proposes a novel and eco-friendly approach for wastewater treatment using plasma jet technology under bubble condition. This method allows for the controlled production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals () while minimizing unwanted interactions with nitrogen in the air. The presence of bubbles in liquid significantly boosts the diffusion of within the wastewater, leading to a two-fold increase in degradation rate compared to normal condition. The effectiveness of the treatment was confirmed through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, which showed a significant decrease in rhodamine B and methyl orange absorbance peaks . Raman spectroscopy further revealed structural changes in both pollutants, indicating successful degradation. Additionally, plasma characteristics like power, electron temperature, and density were monitored to gain deeper insights into the underlying mechanism. Importantly, the process minimizes the formation of harmful secondary pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants were found under concentration of 0.14 mg m which is below established safety thresholds, adhering to World Health Organization guidelines. This research demonstrates that plasma jet treatment in bubble condition not only enhances the degradation efficiency of pollutants in wastewater but also minimizes the formation of harmful byproducts. This represents a significant breakthrough in developing sustainable wastewater treatment technologies.
PubMed: 38942242
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142689 -
Journal of the American Society of... Jun 2024Cardiac amyloidosis is a diffuse disease affecting all cardiac chambers. The value of right ventricular free-wall (RVfw) strain is uncertain as an echocardiographic red...
AIMS
Cardiac amyloidosis is a diffuse disease affecting all cardiac chambers. The value of right ventricular free-wall (RVfw) strain is uncertain as an echocardiographic red flag. We hypothesized that RVfw strain is of added value for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA).
METHOD
ATTR-CA diagnosis required positive Tc-99m pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy and negative serum clonal dyscrasia. Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (interventricular septal thickness ≥1.2cm) by echocardiography and negative PYP scintigraphy served as controls after exclusion of AL-CA. Longitudinal strain was computed with speckle tracking echocardiography.
RESULTS
We studied, 108 subjects with ATTR-CA and 106 controls with LVH, retrospectively. RVfw strain was independently associated with the diagnosis of ATTR-CA after adjusting for classical echocardiographic parameters, namely, relative apical sparing (RAS), e' and E/e'. RVfw strain ≥-16% was incremental to LV RAS in the overall group and in the subgroup without extreme wall thickness (≤1.4 cm) (Harrell's-C, net reclassification improvement (NRI) = 0.213, p<0.001and NRI 0.463, p=0.015, respectively). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: heart failure hospitalization, stroke, death) occurred in 47 ATTR-CA patients, during follow-up (median: 38, range: 6-60 months). RVfw strain ≥-16% was associated with 3-fold increased risk of MACCE in ATTR-CA patients independently of age, comorbidities, BNP and tafamidis treatment. RVfw strain was additive to LVEF for risk stratification (X 10.2, p =0.017).
CONCLUSION
RVfw strain >-16% has incremental value to LV RAS for the differential diagnosis of ATTR-CA among LVH phenotypes, and is associated with poor prognosis.
PubMed: 38942217
DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2024.06.006 -
Biological Psychiatry. Cognitive... Jun 2024The mechanisms linking neural and behavioral indices of reduced reward sensitivity in depression, particularly in children, remain unclear. Reward positivity (RewP), a...
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms linking neural and behavioral indices of reduced reward sensitivity in depression, particularly in children, remain unclear. Reward positivity (RewP), a neural index of reward processing, has been consistently associated with depression. Separately, recent studies using the drift-diffusion model (DDM) on behavioral data have delineated computational indices of reward sensitivity. Therefore, the present study examined whether RewP is a neural mediator of DDM-based indices of reward processing in predicting pediatric depression across varying levels of symptom severity.
METHODS
A community sample of 166 girls, aged 8 to 14 years, completed two tasks. The first was a reward guessing task from which RewP was computed using electroencephalography; the second was a probabilistic reward-based decision-making task. On this second task, DDM analysis was applied to behavioral data to quantify the efficiency of accumulating reward-related evidence (drift rate) and potential baseline bias (starting point) towards the differently rewarded choices. Depression severity was measured using the self-report Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).
RESULTS
RewP was correlated with drift rate, but not starting point bias, towards the more rewarded choice. Furthermore, RewP completely mediated the association between a slower drift rate towards the more rewarded option and higher depression symptom severity.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that reduced neural sensitivity to reward feedback might be a neural mechanism underscoring behavioral insensitivity to reward in children and adolescents with higher depression symptom severity, offering novel insights into the relationship between neural and computational indices of reward processing in this context.
PubMed: 38942146
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.06.007 -
Neurochemistry International Jun 2024K+ channels exist in all living systems. They allow a selective transition to the K+ ion, which enables the activity of various vital tissues such as muscle cells,...
K+ channels exist in all living systems. They allow a selective transition to the K+ ion, which enables the activity of various vital tissues such as muscle cells, neurons, and even bacteria and plants. Despite the mechanism variation in the gating process of K+ channels in different tissues, the selectivity for the K+ ion is preserved and the electrochemical cascade is maintained in these tissues. The electrochemical gradient of the K+ ion is very close to the diffusion rate of K+ ions in bulk water. On the molecular level, how does a K+ ion move across the ion conduction pathway? There are many molecular models that describe and answer this question, however, this is rarely described on the macro level. Here, a physical model can serve as a very good basis for enabling a deeper understanding of the K+ ion for ion transport. Classical physical energy and linear and angular momentum laws can provide a good explanation as to how and what happens to K+ ions when they pass through an ion conduction pathway. This model describes the passage of the ion even before it enters the ion conduction path until the last ion at the end exits. The simulation described here is fascinating and depicts the state of the ion at the farthest end released at almost the same speed as the first ion initially, while all the other ions remain almost at rest. How does this occur? What happens if we change the size or mass of the ion? In this work, I describe this principle and the related problems that could be studied.
PubMed: 38942118
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105797