scholarly journals Dementia risk factors modify hubs but leave other connectivity measures unchanged in asymptomatic individuals: a graph theoretical analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Clarke ◽  
Eirini Messaritaki ◽  
Stavros I Dimitriadis ◽  
Claudia Metzler-Baddeley

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with genetic and environmental risk contributing to its development. Graph theoretical analyses of brain networks constructed from structural and functional MRI measurements have identified connectivity changes in AD and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, brain connectivity in asymptomatic individuals at risk of AD remains poorly understood.MethodsWe acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data from 165 asymptomatic individuals (38-71 years) from the Cardiff Ageing and Risk of Dementia Study (CARDS). We calculated white matter tracts and constructed whole-brain, default-mode-network and visual structural brain networks that incorporate multiple structural metrics as edge weights. We then calculated the relationship of three AD risk factors, namely Apolipoprotein-E ɛ4 genotype (APOE4), family history (FH) of dementia, and central obesity, on graph theoretical measures and hubs.ResultsWe observed no risk-related differences in clustering coefficients, characteristic path lengths, eccentricity, diameter and radius across the whole-brain, default-mode-network or visual system. However, a hub in the right paracentral lobule was present in all high-risk groups (FH, APOE4, obese) but absent in low-risk groups (no FH, APOE4-ve, healthy weight).DiscussionWe identified no risk-related effects on graph theoretical metrics in the structural brain networks of cognitively healthy individuals. However, high-risk was associated with a hub in the right paracentral lobule, an area with motor and sensory functions related to the lower limb. If this phenotype is shown to predict symptom development in longitudinal studies, it could be used as an early biomarker of AD.Impact StatementAlzheimer’s Disease is a common form of dementia which to date has no cure. Identifying early biomarkers will aid the discovery and development of treatments that may slow AD progression in the future. In this paper we report that asymptomatic individuals at heightened risk of dementia due to their family history, Apolipoprotein-E ɛ4 genotype and body adiposity have a hub in the right paracentral lobule which is absent in low-risk groups. If this phenotype were to predict the development of symptoms in a longitudinal study of the same cohort, it could provide an early biomarker of disease progression.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Macdonald ◽  
Stéphanie K. Lavigne ◽  
Andrew E. Reineberg ◽  
Michael H. Thaut

ObjectivesDuring their lifetimes, a majority of musicians experience playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD). PRMD prevalence is tied to instrument choice, yet most studies examine heterogeneous groups of musicians, leaving some high-risk groups such as oboists understudied. This paper aims to (1) ascertain the prevalence and nature of PRMDs in oboists, (2) determine relevant risk factors, and (3) evaluate the efficacy of treatment methods in preventing and remedying injuries in oboe players.MethodsA 10-question online questionnaire on PRMDs and their treatments was completed by 223 oboists. PRMDs were compared across gender, weekly playing hours, career level, age, and years of playing experience.ResultsOf all respondents, 74.9% (167/223) reported having had at least one PRMD in their lifetime. A majority of these injuries (61.9% of all respondents) were of moderate to extreme severity (5 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10). Females (mean = 5.88) reported significantly more severe injuries than males. No significant effects of career level (i.e., professional vs. student vs. amateur), age, or years of playing experience were observed. We found significant non-linear relationships between weekly playing hours and PRMD prevalence and severity. Injuries were most commonly on the right side of the body, with the right thumb, wrist, hand, and forearm being most affected in frequency and severity. Of those injuries for which recovery information was provided, only 26.1% of injuries were “completely recovered.” The perceived effectiveness of a few treatments (physical therapy, rest, stretching, occupational therapy, massage) tended to be ranked more highly than others.ConclusionThe oboists in this study experienced high rates of PRMD, particularly in the right upper extremities. Females and those playing 7-9 and 16-18 h per week reported a significantly higher severity of injuries than other groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aswa Gondal ◽  
Mahrukh Rasheed ◽  
Sana Ali ◽  
Zain Ul Abdin ◽  
Omar Rahim ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Kern ◽  
Sanjeev Balu ◽  
Ozgur Tunceli ◽  
Swetha Raparla ◽  
Deborah Anzalone

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with different risk factors for CHD as defined by NCEP ATP III guidelines. Methods: Dyslipidemia patients (≥1 medical claim for dyslipidemia, ≥1 pharmacy claim for a statin, or ≥1 LDL-C value ≥100 mg/dL [index date]) aged ≥18 y were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment from 1/1/2007-7/31/2012. Patients were classified as low risk (0 or 1 risk factor): hypertension, age ≥45 y [men] or ≥55 y [women], or low HDL-C), moderate/moderately high risk (≥2 risk factors), high risk (having CHD or CHD risk equivalent), or very high risk (having ACS or other established cardiovascular disease plus diabetes or metabolic syndrome). Demographics, comorbidities, medication use and lipid levels during the 12 months prior, and statin use during the 6 months post-index date were compared across risk groups (very high vs each other risk group). Results: There were 1,524,351 low-risk (mean age: 47 y; 45% men), 242,357 moderate-risk (mean age: 58 y; 59% men), 188,222 high-risk (mean age: 57 y; 52% men), and 57,469 very-high-risk (mean age: 63 y; 61% men) patients identified. Mean Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score differed greatly across risk strata: 0.20, 0.33, 1.26, and 2.22 from low to very high risk (p<.0001 for each). Compared with high-risk patients, very-high-risk patients had a higher rate of ischemic stroke: 5.4% vs 4.1%; peripheral artery disease: 17.1% vs 11.6%; coronary artery disease: 8.5% vs 8.2%; and abdominal aortic aneurysm: 2.3% vs 2.0% (p<.05 for each). Less than 1% of the total population had a prior prescription for each non-statin lipid-lowering medication (bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, ezetimibe, niacin, and omega-3). Very-high-risk patients had lower total cholesterol (very-high-risk mean: 194 mg/dL vs 207, 205, and 198 mg/dL for low-, moderate-/moderately-high-, and high-risk patients, respectively) and LDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 110 mg/dL vs 126, 126, and 116 mg/dL for the other risk groups; p<.0001 for each); higher triglycerides (TG) (very-high-risk mean: 206 mg/dL vs 123, 177, and 167 mg/dL for the other groups; p<.0001 for each); and lower HDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 45 mg/dL vs 57 [p<.0001], 45 [p=.006], and 51 mg/dL [p<.0001]). Statin use was low overall (15%), but higher in the very-high-risk group (45%) vs the high- (29%), moderate-/moderately-high- (18%), and low- (12%) risk groups (p<.0001 for each). Conclusions: Despite a large proportion of patients having high lipid levels, statin use after a dyslipidemia diagnosis was low: ≥80% of all patients (and more than half at very high risk) failed to receive a statin, indicating a potentially large population of patients who could benefit from statin treatment. Prior use of non-statin lipid-lowering medications was also low considering the high TG and low HDL-C levels among high-risk patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6060-6060
Author(s):  
Yao Yu ◽  
Heiko Schöder ◽  
Jung Kang ◽  
Sean Matthew McBride ◽  
C. Jillian Tsai ◽  
...  

6060 Background: Patients with ER after surgery and prior to postoperative radiation (RT) for SCC of the OC have aggressive biology and poor prognosis. After the introduction of a PET/CT simulator in our department, we incorporated post-operative PET/CT as part of RT planning. We hypothesized PET/CT would improve detection of macroscopic disease before postoperative RT. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy between 2005 and 2019 for OC SCC. Clinicopathologic risk factors were recorded. Intermediate risk factors (IRFs) included pT3-4 disease, nodal disease, perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and close ( < 5mm) surgical margins (SM); extranodal extension (ENE) and positive SM were considered high-risk factors (HRF). Patients were stratified into risk groups based upon the number and type of risk factors: 0-1 IRFs, 2 IRFs, ≥3 IRFs, and any HRF. Patients were considered to have ER if they had biopsy confirmed recurrence, or if the imaging or exam was sufficiently suspicious, after discussion with the head and neck team, to warrant treatment to definitive doses of RT (70 Gy). Results: Our cohort included 391 patients with SCC of the OCC who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. 61% of patients were male, 35% had pT3-4 disease, 36% had pN2a-3 disease, 53% had PNI, 20% had LVI, 30% had ENE, and 14% had positive SM. The most common sites were oral tongue (46%), alveolar ridge (18%), and buccal mucosa (13%). 237 (61%) patients underwent postoperative PET/CT planning, and 165 patients (41%) were planned with CT only. Patients screened with post-operative PET/CT were more likely to be diagnosed with ER (46/237, 19.4%) than those simulated with CT only (6/154, 3.9%, p < 0.0001). Among patients simulated with PET/CT, 7%, 9%, 14%, and 35% of patients were diagnosed with ER for patients with 0-1 IRFs, 2 IRFs, ≥3 IRFs, and any HRF, respectively. Median follow-up was 4.1 years (95% CI 3.6 – 4.5). Among 52 patients with ER, 24 (49.0%) had local, 41 (83.7%) had regional, and 5 (10.2%) had distant recurrence. 17 (33%) of ER were biopsy proven. For patients with ER, 3-year freedom from locoregional recurrence, distant-metastasis free survival, and overall survival were 45.2% (95% CI 32% - 64%), 55% (95% CI 42% – 72%), and 43% (95% CI 30% - 61%), respectively. For patients without ER, use of postoperative PET/CT was associated with improved disease-free survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46 – 0.98, p = 0.041) and overall survival (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 – 0.91, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Postoperative PET/CT may increase detection ER compared to CT simulation alone and improve risk stratification. Patients with ER are at high risk of locoregional failure, distant metastases, and mortality, despite salvage therapy. A prospective trial is underway at our institution to systemically study the role of PET/CT for detection of ER.


2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar ◽  
Douglas L. Longshore ◽  
Phyllis L. Ellickson ◽  
Daniel F. McCaffrey

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a revised state-of-the-art drug prevention program, Project ALERT, on risk factors for drug use in mostly rural midwestern schools and communities. Fifty-five middle schools from South Dakota were randomly assigned to treatment or control conditions. Treatment-group students received 11 lessons in Grade 7 and 3 more in Grade 8. Effects for 4,276 eighth graders were assessed 18 months after baseline. Results indicate that Project ALERT had statistically significant effects on all the targeted risk factors associated with cigarette and marijuana use and more modest gains with the pro-alcoholrisk factors. The program helped adolescents at low, moderate, and high risk for future use, with the effect sizes typically stronger for the low- and moderate-risk groups. Thus, school-based drug prevention programs can lower risk factors that correlate with drug use, help low- to high-risk adolescents, and be effective in diverse school environments.


Author(s):  
Halley Ruppel ◽  
Vincent X. Liu ◽  
Neeru R. Gupta ◽  
Lauren Soltesz ◽  
Gabriel J. Escobar

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) admission risk criteria for stratifying postpartum hemorrhage risk in a large obstetrics population. Study Design Using detailed electronic health record data, we classified 261,964 delivery hospitalizations from Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals between 2010 and 2017 into high-, medium-, and low-risk groups based on CMQCC criteria. We used logistic regression to assess associations between CMQCC risk groups and postpartum hemorrhage using two different postpartum hemorrhage definitions, standard postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss ≥1,000 mL) and severe postpartum hemorrhage (based on transfusion, laboratory, and blood loss data). Among the low-risk group, we also evaluated associations between additional present-on-admission factors and severe postpartum hemorrhage. Results Using the standard definition, postpartum hemorrhage occurred in approximately 5% of hospitalizations (n = 13,479), with a rate of 3.2, 10.5, and 10.2% in the low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. Severe postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 824 hospitalizations (0.3%), with a rate of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.3% in the low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. For either definition, the odds of postpartum hemorrhage were significantly higher in medium- and high-risk groups compared with the low-risk group. Over 40% of postpartum hemorrhages occurred in hospitalizations that were classified as low risk. Among the low-risk group, risk factors including hypertension and diabetes were associated with higher odds of severe postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusion We found that the CMQCC admission risk assessment criteria stratified women by increasing rates of severe postpartum hemorrhage in our sample, which enables early preparation for many postpartum hemorrhages. However, the CMQCC risk factors missed a substantial proportion of postpartum hemorrhages. Efforts to improve postpartum hemorrhage risk assessment using present-on-admission risk factors should consider inclusion of other nonobstetrical factors.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice N. Kiyong’a ◽  
Elizabeth A. J. Cook ◽  
Nisreen M. A. Okba ◽  
Velma Kivali ◽  
Chantal Reusken ◽  
...  

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by a zoonotic coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camel handlers, including slaughterhouse workers and herders, are at risk of acquiring MERS-CoV infections. However, there is limited evidence of infections among camel handlers in Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies to MERS-CoV in high-risk groups in Kenya. Sera collected from 93 camel handlers, 58 slaughterhouse workers and 35 camel herders, were screened for MERS-CoV antibodies using ELISA and PRNT. We found four seropositive slaughterhouse workers by PRNT. Risk factors amongst the slaughterhouse workers included being the slaughterman (the person who cuts the throat of the camel) and drinking camel blood. Further research is required to understand the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in Africa in relation to occupational risk, with a need for additional studies on the transmission of MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans, seroprevalence and associated risk factors.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3877-3877
Author(s):  
Feras Alfraih ◽  
John Kuruvilla ◽  
Naheed Alam ◽  
Anna Lambie ◽  
Vikas Gupta ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major infectious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Risk of CMV infection varies between patients and individualized strategies for monitoring and therapy for CMV are needed. In this study, we attempted to establish a clinical score based on patient and transplant characteristics in order to predict the probability for early CMV viremia (CMV-V) within the first 100 days after HSCT. Methods: A total of 548 patients were evaluated after receiving HSCT between 2005 and 2012 at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. CMV sero-negative recipients with CMV sero-negative donors (R-D-) were excluded. CMV-V was diagnosed in peripheral blood samples obtained on two occasions either by PCR (>200 IU/ml) or antigenemia testing (>2 positive cells/100000). A total of 378 patients were included into the study. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors for CMV-V. A weighted score was assigned to each factor based on the odds ratios determined by the multivariable analysis. A total score was calculated for each patient and used for assignment into one of 4 risk categories, the low risk (score 0-1), the intermediate (score 2-3), the high (score 4-5) and the very high (score 6-8). Median age for all patients was 51 years (range 17-71) and 173 (46%) were female. Matched related donors were used for two hundred fifteen patients (57%). Two hundred forty-three patients (64%) were transplanted for myeloid and 108 (29%) for lymphoid malignancies. One hundred thirteen patients (30%) were CMV sero-positive with a negative donor (R+D-) while 191 (51%) were recipient and donor CMV sero-positivity (R+D+). Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included CSA/MMF (n=200, 52%), and CSA/MTX (n=178, 48%). Myeloablative conditioning regimens were administered to 220 patients (58%), 158 patients (42%) were treated with a reduced intensity regimen. Three hundred-thirty seven patients (89%) received peripheral blood stem cells as a stem cell source. In vivo T cell depletion (TCD) with alemtuzumab was used in 138 (37%). Results: CMV-V occurred in 246 (64%) patients by day 100 post HSCT. The impact of patient and HSCT characteristics on the risk of CMV-V was assessed by multivariable analysis. The significant factors were CMV sero-status R+D- and R+D+, TCD, GVHD prophylaxis with MMF administration of myeloablative preparative regimens (Table 1). Table 1. Multivariate analysis for risk factors of CMV infection following allogeneic HSCT Table 1. Multivariate analysis for risk factors of CMV infection following allogeneic HSCT CMV-V rates on the 4 new risk categories amounted to 93% in the very high-risk, 78% in high-risk, 41% in intermediate-risk and 11% in low-risk group (Fig 1). The risk score was also predictive for the occurrence of multiple CMV-V reactivations with rates of 71%, 45%, 19% and 4% for the very high, high, intermediate and low-risk groups, respectively. The overall survival (OS) rate at 2 years was 33%(n=56) in the very high-risk group compared to 50% in other-risk groups (n=147) (P=0.01) (Fig 2). Non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 53% in the very high-risk versus 33% in other-risk groups (P<0.001). However, there was no difference on cumulative incidence of relapse between the groups (P=0.3). The cumulative incidence of grades 1-4 acute GVHD, grades 2-4, grades 3-4 at day 120 and overall chronic GVHD at 2 years was 68%, 47%, 25% and 39% in very high-risk group versus 65%, 52%, 21% and 52% in other-risk groups, suggesting slightly lower incidence of chronic GVHD in very high-risk vs other-risk groups. Conclusion: We present a new clinical scoring system to stratify the risk of early CMV viremia after allogeneic HSCT based on patients and HSCT characteristics. Identifying the risk for each patient would facilitate decision making with respect to strategies including CMV prophylaxis, pre-emptive treatment or inclusion into clinical trials, as well directing the CMV monitoring policy post-transplant. In addition, the risk score was associated with higher risk of overall mortality and NRM in the very high-risk versus other-risk groups. Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2497-2497
Author(s):  
Elena N. Parovichnikova ◽  
Vera V. Troitskaya ◽  
Andrey Sokolov ◽  
Galina Kliasova ◽  
Larisa A. Kuzmina ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction It is postulated that the improvement in the overall treatment outcome in adult Ph-negative ALL came from the implementation of more aggressive pediatric-like protocols and higher portion of allogeneic HSCT. Here we report the results of the adult (15-55 yy) Ph-negative ALL protocol based on the opposite approaches: less intensive but non-interruptive treatment with low numbers of allo-HSCT. The study is registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov public site; NCT01193933. Patients and Methods The ALL-2009 is based on: (1) the replacement of prednisolone (Pdn) 60 mg/m2 with dexamethazone (Dexa) 10 mg/m2 if blast cells are >25% in b/m after prephase (7d); (2) de-intensified but non-interruptive 5 months induction/consolidation treatment (5 wks prd/dexa with 3 instead of 4 dauno/vncr pulses, 4 weeks of 6MP with 5 L-asp, 2 instead of 4 ARA-C blocks, 1 instead of 2 Cph injections during induction; induction-like 3 consolidations for 3wks, 2wks, 4wks-continuously without intervals), followed by (3) 2 late (at 6 mo) intensifications- with 1 day HD MTX and with 1 d HD ARA-C, both with L-asp and 3 ds dexa and (4) 2-yrs continuous 6MP/MTX maintenance with doses modification according to myelosuppression with monthly 3-days dexa/vncr/L-asp pulses (∑ L-asp = 590.000 IU/m2). The protocol was identical for all risk groups. Allo-HSCT was indicated only for extremely high-risk BCP-ALL (t(4;11),L>100). No central MRD monitoring was performed. Since Apr 2009 till June 2015 20 centers had recruited 168 BCP-Ph-negative ALL pts with a median age 28 years (15-54), 84f/84 m. Full cytogenetics was available in 67,3% (n=113), 43,4% of them (n=49) had normal karyotype (NK), 10% (n=9%) had no mitosis, 47,6% (n=54) - different abnormalities (hypoploid-1, hyperploid-12, t(11q23)/MLL-8, del11q23-2, t(1;19)-2, t(12;21)-1;others-28). 26,7% of pts (n=45) were in the standard risk (SR) group (WBC <30, EGIL BII-III, LDH < 2N; no late CR; t(4;11)-negative), 56,5% (n=95) - in the high risk (HR) group (WBC >30; EGIL BI, LDH > 2N; late CR; t(4;11)-positive), 28 patients (n=16,8%) were not qualified by the risk. The analysis was performed in June 2015. 158 pts were available for analysis. Results CR rate in 158 available for analysis pts was 87,7% (n=139), induction death occurred in 9,1% (n=14), resistance was registered in 3,2% (n=5). The majority of CR pts (87,8%) achieved it after prephase (12,2%, n=17) and the 1st phase of induction (75,6%, n=105). Late responders constituted 12,2% (n=17). Allogeneic BMT was performed only in 9 of 144 patients who survived induction (6,2%). Totally 31 pts (22,3%) had relapsed. At 60 mo OS for the whole group constituted - 50%, DFS - 51.3%. In a univariate analysis among various risk factors (age <> 30y, initial risk group, WBC, LDH, immunophenotype, late response >35d, PRD resistance) age (>30 y) became statistically significant for OS, DFS and relapse probability (RP) (pic.1), abnormal karyotype - for DFS (30% vs 68%, p=0,04) and RP (42% vs 19%, p= 0,04). In a multivariate analysis no common risk factors were significant. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that the proposed treatment approach is rather effective. We believe that constant non-interruptive treatment without intensive highly myelosuppressive consolidation courses and high portion of allogeneic HSCT may become an alternative and reproducible approach in adult Ph-negative ALL, though we have to stress that it should be very strict compliance of the pts to the protocol. All pts, mostly from the region hospitals who refused prolonged and constant treatment (~5%), relapsed. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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