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Frontiers in Neurology 2024This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving cognitive function in patients with ischemic stroke through network...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving cognitive function in patients with ischemic stroke through network meta-analysis.
METHODS
We searched databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EmBase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on non-pharmacological treatments to improve cognitive impairment following ischemic stroke. The publication date was up to 15 March 2023. Due to the insufficiency of included studies, supplementary searches for high-quality Chinese literature were performed in databases such as CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP Chinese Science Journals Database. Two reviewers independently went through the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the risk of bias assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0. By utilizing R 4.2.3 RStudio software and the GeMTC package, a Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to assess the improvement in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores under a variety of non-pharmacological interventions.
RESULTS
A total of 22 RCTs involving 2,111 patients and 14 different non-pharmacological treatments were included. These interventions were transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), reminiscence therapy (RT), remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), physical fitness training (PFT), intensive patient care program (IPCP), moderate-intensity continuous training + high-intensity interval training (MICT + HIIT), medium intensity continuous training (MICT), grip training (GT), acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive rehabilitation training (CRT), high pressure oxygen (HPO), moxibustion, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The results of the network meta-analysis indicated that rTMS had the highest likelihood of being the most effective intervention for improving MMSE and MoCA scores.
CONCLUSION
The evidence from this study suggests that rTMS holds promise for improving MMSE and MoCA scores in patients with cognitive impairment following ischemic stroke. However, further high-quality research is needed to confirm and validate this finding.
PubMed: 38895695
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1327065 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2024Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (spTMS) applied to the Early Visual Cortex (EVC) has demonstrated the ability to suppress the perception on visual...
BACKGROUND
Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (spTMS) applied to the Early Visual Cortex (EVC) has demonstrated the ability to suppress the perception on visual targets, akin to the effect of visual masking. However, the reported spTMS suppression effects across various studies have displayed inconsistency.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to test if the heterogeneity of the spTMS effects can be attributable to variations in experimental factors.
METHODS
We conducted a meta-analysis using data collected from the PubMed and Web of Science databases spanning from 1995 to March 2024. The meta-analysis encompassed a total of 40 independent experiments drawn from 33 original articles.
RESULTS
The findings unveiled an overall significant spTMS suppression effect on visual perception. Nevertheless, there existed substantial heterogeneity among the experiments. Univariate analysis elucidated that the spTMS effects could be significantly influenced by TMS intensity, visual angle of the stimulus, coil type, and TMS stimulators from different manufacturers. Reliable spTMS suppression effects were observed within the time windows of -80 to 0 ms and 50 to 150 ms. Multivariate linear regression analyses, which included SOA, TMS intensity, visual angle of the stimulus, and coil type, identified SOA as the key factor influencing the spTMS effects. Within the 50 to 150 ms time window, optimal SOAs were identified as 112 ms and 98 ms for objective and subjective performance, respectively. Collectively, multiple experimental factors accounted for 22.9% ( = 0.3353) and 39.9% ( = 0.3724) of the variance in objective and subjective performance, respectively. Comparing univariate and multivariate analyses, it was evident that experimental factors had different impacts on objective performance and subjective performance.
CONCLUSION
The present study provided quantitative recommendations for future experiments involving the spTMS effects on visual targets, offering guidance on how to configure experimental factors to achieve the optimal masking effect.
PubMed: 38894939
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1351399 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study delves into the cutting-edge field of deep learning techniques, particularly deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), which have demonstrated unprecedented... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
This study delves into the cutting-edge field of deep learning techniques, particularly deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), which have demonstrated unprecedented potential in assisting radiologists and orthopedic surgeons in precisely identifying meniscal tears. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of deep learning models in recognizing, localizing, describing, and categorizing meniscal tears in magnetic resonance images (MRIs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This systematic review was rigorously conducted, strictly following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Extensive searches were conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. All identified articles underwent a comprehensive risk of bias analysis. Predictive performance values were either extracted or calculated for quantitative analysis, including sensitivity and specificity. The meta-analysis was performed for all prediction models that identified the presence and location of meniscus tears.
RESULTS
This study's findings underscore that a range of deep learning models exhibit robust performance in detecting and classifying meniscal tears, in one case surpassing the expertise of musculoskeletal radiologists. Most studies in this review concentrated on identifying tears in the medial or lateral meniscus and even precisely locating tears-whether in the anterior or posterior horn-with exceptional accuracy, as demonstrated by AUC values ranging from 0.83 to 0.94.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings, deep learning models have showcased significant potential in analyzing knee MR images by learning intricate details within images. They offer precise outcomes across diverse tasks, including segmenting specific anatomical structures and identifying pathological regions. Contributions: This study focused exclusively on DL models for identifying and localizing meniscus tears. It presents a meta-analysis that includes eight studies for detecting the presence of a torn meniscus and a meta-analysis of three studies with low heterogeneity that localize and classify the menisci. Another novelty is the analysis of arthroscopic surgery as ground truth. The quality of the studies was assessed against the CLAIM checklist, and the risk of bias was determined using the QUADAS-2 tool.
PubMed: 38893617
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111090 -
Cancers May 2024Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different... (Review)
Review
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different pathophysiology, microstructure, and prognosis compared to HPV-negative (HPV-) cases. This review aimed to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to discriminate between HPV+ and HPV- tumours and predict HPV status in OPSCC patients. A systematic literature search was performed on 15 December 2022 on EMBASE, MEDLINE ALL, Web of Science, and Cochrane according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-eight studies ( = 2634 patients) were included. Five, nineteen, and seven studies investigated structural MRI (e.g., T1, T2-weighted), diffusion-weighted MRI, and other sequences, respectively. Three out of four studies found that HPV+ tumours were significantly smaller in size, and their lymph node metastases were more cystic in structure than HPV- ones. Eleven out of thirteen studies found that the mean apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly higher in HPV- than HPV+ primary tumours. Other sequences need further investigation. Fourteen studies used MRI to predict HPV status using clinical, radiological, and radiomics features. The reported areas under the curve (AUC) values ranged between 0.697 and 0.944. MRI can potentially be used to find differences between HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC patients and predict HPV status with reasonable accuracy. Larger studies with external model validation using independent datasets are needed before clinical implementation.
PubMed: 38893224
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112105 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Competitive sports and high-level athletic training result in a constellation of changes in the myocardium that comprise the 'athlete's heart'. With the spread of the... (Review)
Review
Competitive sports and high-level athletic training result in a constellation of changes in the myocardium that comprise the 'athlete's heart'. With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns whether elite athletes would be at higher risk of myocardial involvement after infection with the virus. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of abnormal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in elite athletes recovered from COVID-19 infection. The PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were systematically search from inception to 15 November 2023. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of abnormal cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings, including the pathological presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), abnormal T1 and T2 values and pericardial enhancement, in athletes who had recovered from COVID-19 infection. Out of 3890 records, 18 studies with a total of 4446 athletes were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of pathological LGE in athletes recovered from COVID-19 was 2.0% (95% CI 0.9% to 4.4%, 90%). The prevalence of elevated T1 and T2 values was 1.2% (95% CI 0.4% to 3.6%, 87%) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.4% to 3.7%, 89%), respectively, and the pooled prevalence of pericardial involvement post COVID-19 infection was 1.1% (95% CI 0.5% to 2.5%, 85%). The prevalence of all abnormal CMR findings was much higher among those who had a clinical indication of CMR. Among athletes who have recently recovered from COVID-19 infection, there is a low prevalence of abnormal CMR findings. However, the prevalence is much higher among athletes with symptoms and/or abnormal initial cardiac screening. Further studies and longer follow up are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of these findings and to ascertain if they are associated with adverse events.
PubMed: 38893000
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113290 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Psoas muscle abscess (PMA) is an uncommon yet severe condition characterized by diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its varied etiology and nonspecific... (Review)
Review
Psoas muscle abscess (PMA) is an uncommon yet severe condition characterized by diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its varied etiology and nonspecific symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of various imaging techniques used in the image-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) of PMA. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for studies published in English from 1998 onwards that reported on the use of PD in treating PMA, detailing outcomes and complications. Imaging modalities guiding PD were also examined. We identified 1570 articles, selecting 39 for full review. Of these, 23 met the inclusion criteria; 19 were excluded due to unspecified PMA, absence of imaging guidance for PD, or inconclusive results. Eleven studies utilized computed tomography (CT) for PD, with six also using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten studies implemented ultrasound (US)-guided PD; variations in diagnostic imaging included combinations of US, CT, and MRI. A mixed approach using both CT and US was reported in two articles. Most studies using CT-guided PD showed complete success, while outcomes varied among those using US-guided PD. No studies employed MRI-guided PD. This review supports a multimodal approach for psoas abscess management, using MRI for diagnosis and CT for drainage guidance. We advocate for Cone Beam CT (CBCT)-MRI fusion techniques with navigation systems to enhance treatment precision and outcomes, particularly in complex cases with challenging abscess characteristics.
PubMed: 38892910
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113199 -
Nutrients May 2024The optimization of infant neuronal development through nutrition is an increasingly studied area. While human milk consumption during infancy is thought to give a... (Review)
Review
The optimization of infant neuronal development through nutrition is an increasingly studied area. While human milk consumption during infancy is thought to give a slight cognitive advantage throughout early childhood in comparison to commercial formula, the biological underpinnings of this process are less well-known and debated in the literature. This systematic review seeks to quantitatively analyze whether early diet affects infant neurodevelopment as measured by various neuroimaging modalities and techniques. Results presented suggest that human milk does have a slight positive impact on the structural development of the infant brain-and that this impact is larger in preterm infants. Other diets with distinct macronutrient compositions were also considered, although these had more conflicting results.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Neuroimaging; Brain; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child Development; Infant, Newborn; Milk, Human; Diet; Infant, Premature; Infant Formula
PubMed: 38892636
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111703 -
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck... 2024Diagnostic dilemma between clinical Meniere's disease and radiological endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has emerged since the introduction of hydrops magnetic resonance... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Diagnostic dilemma between clinical Meniere's disease and radiological endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has emerged since the introduction of hydrops magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study is to explore the potential application of hydrops MRI on diagnosing the EH.
METHODS
This review was developed from peer-reviewed articles published in those journals listed on journal of citation reports. The MEDLINE database of the US National Library of Medicine, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to collect articles based on the guidelines (PRISMA 2020 statement) for reporting reviews.
RESULTS
Initially, 470 articles were retrieved from 1983 to 2023, and 80 relevant articles were ultimately selected. The sensitivity (69%-92%) and specificity (78%-96%) values varied from each laboratory for detecting EH via hydrops MRI, probably due to candidate selection and the grading system employed.
CONCLUSION
The application of hydrops MRI allows (1) differentiation between EH and sudden sensorineural hearing loss; (2) determination of the affected side of EH; and (3) confirmation of the diagnosis of EH concomitant with other disorders. Notably, not all differentials for EH can be visualized on MR images. One of the existing gaps to be filled is that updated hydrops MRI fails to identify distortion, that is, rupture, collapse, fistula, or fibrosis of the inner ear compartments, akin to what histopathological evidence can demonstrate. Hence, enhanced ultrahigh resolution of hydrops MRI is required for demonstrating fine structures of the inner ear compartments in the future.
Topics: Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Endolymphatic Hydrops; Meniere Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 38888936
DOI: 10.1177/19160216241250350 -
Annals of Emergency Medicine Jun 2024Acute aortic syndrome is a life-threatening emergency condition. Previous systematic reviews of D-dimer diagnostic accuracy for acute aortic syndrome have been...
STUDY OBJECTIVE
Acute aortic syndrome is a life-threatening emergency condition. Previous systematic reviews of D-dimer diagnostic accuracy for acute aortic syndrome have been contradictory and based on limited data, but recently published studies offer potential for a more definitive overview. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer for diagnosing acute aortic syndrome.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 2024. Additionally, the reference lists of included studies and other systematic reviews were thoroughly searched. All diagnostic cohort studies (prospective or retrospective) that assessed the use of D-dimer for diagnosing acute aortic syndrome compared with a reference standard test (eg, computed tomographic angiography (CTA), ECG-gated CTA, echocardiography, magnetic resonance angiography, operation, or autopsy) were included. Two independent reviewers completed study selection, data extractions and quality assessment using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Data were synthesized using a bivariate meta-analysis model.
RESULTS
Of 2017 potentially relevant citations, 25 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria, and 18 reporting the 500 ng/mL threshold were included in the primary meta-analysis. Risk of bias domains were mostly unclear due to limited study reporting. The summary sensitivity was 96.5% (95% credible interval [CrI] 94.8% to 98%) and summary specificity was 56.2% (95% CrI, 48.3% to 63.9%). Study specificity varied markedly from 33% to 86%, indicating substantial heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis including the 7 studies reporting other thresholds showed summary sensitivity of 95.7% (95% CrI, 93.2% to 97.5%) and summary specificity of 57.5% (95% CrI, 50.1% to 64.6%).
CONCLUSION
D-dimer concentration has high sensitivity (96.5%) and moderate specificity (56.2%) for acute aortic syndrome, with some uncertainty around estimates due to risk of bias and heterogeneity. Previous meta-analysis reporting higher specificity may be explained by inclusion of case-control studies that may overestimate accuracy.
PubMed: 38888529
DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.05.001 -
Insights Into Imaging Jun 2024To investigate the diagnostic performance of MRI in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with prostate-specific...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic performance of MRI in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4-10 ng/mL.
METHODS
A computerized search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Web of Science was conducted from inception until October 31, 2023. We included articles on the use of MRI to detect csPCa or PCa at 4-10 ng/mL PSA. The primary and secondary outcomes were MRI performance in csPCa and PCa detection, respectively; the estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were pooled in a bivariate random-effects model.
RESULTS
Among the 19 studies (3879 patients), there were 10 (2205 patients) and 13 studies (2965 patients) that reported MRI for detecting csPCa or PCa, respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for csPCa detection were 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.88) and 0.76 (95%CI, 0.65-0.84), respectively, for PCa detection were 0.82 (95%CI, 0.75-0.87) and 0.74 (95%CI, 0.65-0.82), respectively. The pooled NPV for csPCa detection was 0.91 (0.87-0.93). Biparametric magnetic resonance imaging also showed a significantly higher sensitivity and specificity relative to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (both p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
Prostate MRI enables the detection of csPCa and PCa with satisfactory performance in the PSA gray zone. The excellent NPV for csPCa detection indicates the possibility of biopsy decision-making in patients in the PSA gray zone, but substantial heterogeneity among the included studies should be taken into account.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
Prostate MRI can be considered a reliable and satisfactory tool for detecting csPCa and PCa in patients with PSA in the "gray zone", allowing for reducing unnecessary biopsy and optimizing the overall examination process.
KEY POINTS
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a common screening tool for prostate cancer but risks overdiagnosis. MRI demonstrated excellent negative predictive value for prostate cancer in the PSA gray zone. MRI can influence decision-making for these patients, and biparametric MRI should be further evaluated.
PubMed: 38886256
DOI: 10.1186/s13244-024-01699-4