scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 on the human central olfactory system: a natural pre-post experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelina Thunell ◽  
Moa G Peter ◽  
Vincent Lenoir ◽  
Patrik Andersson ◽  
Basile N Landis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Bulb ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Brain Images ◽  
Olfactory Bulb Volume ◽  
Olfactory Test ◽  
Post Measure ◽  
Mr Brain Images ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
One Year

Reduced olfactory function is the symptom with the highest prevalence in COVID-19 with nearly 70% of individuals with COVID-19 experiencing partial or total loss of their sense of smell at some point during the disease. The exact cause is not known but beyond peripheral damage, studies have demonstrated insults to both the olfactory bulb and central olfactory brain areas. However, these studies often lack both baseline pre-COVID-19 assessments and a control group and could therefore simply reflect preexisting risk factors. Right before the COVID-19 outbreak, we completed an olfactory focused study including structural MR brain images and a full clinical olfactory test. Opportunistically, we invited participants back one year later, including 9 participants who had experienced mild to medium COVID-19 (C19+) and 12 that had not (C19-), thereby creating a pre-post controlled natural experiment with a control group. Despite C19+ participants reporting subjective olfactory dysfunction, few showed signs of objectively altered function one year later. Critically, all but one individual in the C19+ group had reduced olfactory bulb volume with an average volume reduction of 14.3%, but this did not amount to a significant between group difference compared to the control group (2.3% reduction) using inference statistics. No morphological differences in cerebral olfactory areas were found but we found stronger functional connectivity between olfactory brain areas in the C19+ croup at the post measure. Taken together, these data suggest that COVID-19 might cause a long-term reduction in olfactory bulb volume but with no discernible differences in cerebral olfactory regions.

scholarly journals Magnetic resonance imaging study; does the olfactory bulb volume change in major depression?

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-103
Author(s):  
Nuriye Guzin Ozdemir ◽  
Ibrahim Burak Atci ◽  
Sevda Bag ◽  
Hakan Yilmaz ◽  
Yesim Karagoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Olfactory Bulb ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Olfactory Bulb Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Volume Measurements

Abstract Goal: The olfactory region function disorders and olfactory bulb volume changes in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders are defined. In this study, the olfactory bulb values of patients diagnosed with major depression in accordance with DMS-IV criteria, are measured with MRI, and these values are compared with the values of healthy volunteers to see if there are any statistically significant changes. Method: The study was carried out with 20 healthy volunteers and 20 patients who had been diagnosed with acute major depression in accordance with ‘diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders’ (DMS) IV criteria and have been getting treatment for more than 2 years in Istanbul Education and Research Hospital. 1,5 Tesla MRI were used in 40 cases, and the olfactory bulb volume on two hemispheres were measured separately. Results: Contrary to the former studies, we found no statistically significant difference between the olfactory bulb volume measurements of the control group and the group diagnosed with major depression.

Olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth in patients with Behçet's disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (12) ◽  
pp. 1088-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Doğan ◽  
N Bayar Muluk ◽  
N Asal ◽  
M H Şahan ◽  
M Inal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Olfactory Bulb ◽  
Behçet’S Disease ◽  
Behcet’S Disease ◽  
Behçet's Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Behcet's Disease ◽  
Olfactory Bulb Volume

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth in patients with Behçet's disease, using magnetic resonance imaging.MethodsCranial magnetic resonance imaging scans of 27 adults with Behçet's disease (10 males and 17 females) and 27 healthy controls were examined. Olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth were measured on coronal, T2-weighted, spectral pre-saturation with inversion recovery sequences.ResultsBilateral olfactory bulb volume and right-sided olfactory sulcus depth were significantly lower in the Behçet's disease group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Left-sided olfactory sulcus depth increased with Behçet's disease duration. In both groups, olfactory bulb volume was significantly higher in the left than the right side. There were no gender differences for olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth. Positive correlations were determined between right- and left-sided olfactory bulb volume values and between right- and left-sided olfactory sulcus depth values.ConclusionBehçet's disease may decrease olfactory functions, related to lower olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth. The affected vascular system and possibly damaged neural system, nasal mucosal lesions, and prolonged nasal mucociliary clearance time may cause olfactory dysfunction. Patient follow up is recommended, with magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the olfactory system if necessary.

Haemostatic Clot Formation at Anastomosis of Synthetic Venous Graft in Defibrinogenated Dogs: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

1981 ◽  
Vol 45 (03) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ishimaru ◽  
E Berglin ◽  
H-A Hansson ◽  
A-C Teger-Nilsson ◽  
G William-Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Vena Cava ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic Study ◽  
Fibrin Network ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic ◽  
Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Scanning Electron

SummaryA segment of the inferior vena cava was replaced by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft in 13 dogs. Five of them served as a control group, while the other 8 were moderately or severely defibrinogenated with subcutaneous batroxobin. Plasma fibrinogen decreased to extremely low values throughout the experiment in the defibrinogenated dogs except in the moderately treated group in which it temporarily rose to 0.72-0.87 g/1 on the first postoperative day.Scanning electron microscopic observations of the haemostatic clot formed at the anastomoses of the graft revealed no significant morphological differences in platelet adhesion and/or aggregation between the three groups. These findings confirmed that platelets play a key role in primary haemostasis during defibrinogenation.The fibrin network was slightly diminished and only short fibrin filaments could be seen in the moderately and severely defibrinogenated groups respectively. These differences in composition of the clots are discussed in relation to their haemostatic capacity.

Levels of Prothrombin Fragment F1+2 in Patients with Hyperhomocysteinemia and a History of Venous Thromboembolism

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (05) ◽  
pp. 1327-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Kyrle ◽  
Andreas Stümpflen ◽  
Mirko Hirschl ◽  
Christine Bialonczyk ◽  
Kurt Herkner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Prothrombin Fragment ◽  
Hemostatic System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
System Activation ◽  
One Year

SummaryIncreased thrombin generation occurs in many individuals with inherited defects in the antithrombin or protein C anticoagulant pathways and is also seen in patients with thrombosis without a defined clotting abnormality. Hyperhomocysteinemia (H-HC) is an important risk factor of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We prospectively followed 48 patients with H-HC (median age 62 years, range 26-83; 18 males) and 183 patients (median age 50 years, range 18-85; 83 males) without H-HC for a period of up to one year. Prothrombin fragment Fl+2 (Fl+2) was determined in the patient’s plasma as a measure of thrombin generation during and at several time points after discontinuation of secondary thromboprophylaxis with oral anticoagulants. While on anticoagulants, patients with H-HC had significantly higher Fl+2 levels than patients without H-HC (mean 0.52 ± 0.49 nmol/1, median 0.4, range 0.2-2.8, versus 0.36 ± 0.2 nmol/1, median 0.3, range 0.1-2.1; p = 0.02). Three weeks and 3,6,9 and 12 months after discontinuation of oral anticoagulants, up to 20% of the patients with H-HC and 5 to 6% without H-HC had higher Fl+2 levels than a corresponding age- and sex-matched control group. 16% of the patients with H-HC and 4% of the patients without H-HC had either Fl+2 levels above the upper limit of normal controls at least at 2 occasions or (an) elevated Fl+2 level(s) followed by recurrent VTE. No statistical significant difference in the Fl+2 levels was seen between patients with and without H-HC. We conclude that a permanent hemostatic system activation is detectable in a proportion of patients with H-HC after discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy following VTE. Furthermore, secondary thromboprophylaxis with conventional doses of oral anticoagulants may not be sufficient to suppress hemostatic system activation in patients with H-HC.

RELATED FACTORS TO RELAPSE IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS AFTER COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY DURING ONE YEAR PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP

2011 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Nhu Minh Hang Tran ◽  
Huu Cat Nguyen ◽  
Dang Doanh Nguyen ◽  
Van Luong Ngo ◽  
Vu Hoang Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Relapse Rate ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
One Year

Objectives: To determine factors impact on the relapse in depressed patients treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) during one year follow-up. Materials and Methods: 80 depressed patients divided into two groups, group 1: included 40 patients treated with CBT; group 2: 40 patients on amitriptyline. Non-randomized controlled clinical trial, opened, longiditual and prospective research. Results and Conclusions: relapse rate after CBT during 1 year follow-up is 10% (compared to 25% in control group), related factors to relapse rate in depression after CBT are age and education. Shared predictors between 2 groups are severity and recurrence of depression. Key words: Depression, relapse, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The Role of Chess in the Intellectual Development of Childrens from Primary School

2019 ◽  
pp. 58-62
Author(s):  
Vlad Stegariu ◽  
Simona Andreea Popușoi ◽  
Beatrice Abălașei ◽  
Nicolae Lucian Voinea ◽  
Ioan Stelescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Intellectual Development ◽  
Resources Allocation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
One Year ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Chess Playing

Chess playing has a significant role in participants’ resources allocation, both at a psychological level, but mostly concerning the cognitive resources. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of chess playing on the intellectual development of primary-class students. 67 children were tested using the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices and were distributed in three different groups according to their experience with chess, namely: the control group (formed by students with no experience with chess playing), the beginners group (students with less than one year in chess playing training) and the advanced group (children with more than two years experience with chess). Results indicated that chess playing had a significant effect on the SPM performance, indicating that those in the advanced group performed significantly better than those in the control or in the beginners group. Conclusions of this study tap into the benefits of playing chess with a focus on the children’s’ cognitive development.

scholarly journals Real-World Experience of the One-Year Efficacy of Rifaximin Add-On to Lactulose Is Superior to Lactulose Alone in Patients with Cirrhosis Complicated with Recurrent Hepatic Encephalopathy in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ching Chang ◽  
Chien-Hao Huang ◽  
Hsiao-Jung Tseng ◽  
Fang-Chen Yang ◽  
Rong-Nan Chien
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Real World ◽  
Ammonia Level ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Before And After ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Serum Ammonia

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric complication of decompensated cirrhosis, is associated with high mortality and high risk of recurrence. Rifaximin add-on to lactulose for 3 to 6 months is recommended for the prevention of recurrent episodes of HE after the second episode. However, whether the combination for more than 6 months is superior to lactulose alone in the maintenance of HE remission is less evident. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the one-year efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose for the maintenance of HE remission in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a real-world single-center retrospective cohort study to compare the long-term efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose (group R + L) versus lactulose alone (group L, control group). Furthermore, the treatment efficacy before and after rifaximin add-on to lactulose was also analyzed. The primary endpoint of our study was time to first HE recurrence (Conn score ≥ 2). All patients were followed up every three months until death, and censored at one year if still alive. Results and Conclusions: 12 patients were enrolled in group R + L. Another 31 patients were stratified into group L. Sex, comorbidity, ammonia level, and ascites grade were matched while age, HE grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were adjusted in the multivariable logistic regression model. Compared with group L, significant improvement in the maintenance of HE remission and decreased episodes and days of HE-related hospitalizations were demonstrated in group R + L. The serum ammonia levels were significantly lower at the 3rd and 6th month in group 1. Concerning changes before and after rifaximin add-on in group R + L, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), episodes of hospitalization, and variceal bleeding also improved at 6 and 12 months. Days of hospitalization, serum ammonia levels also improved at 6th month. Except for concern over price, no patients discontinued rifaximin due to adverse events or complications. The above results provide evidence for the one-year use of rifaximin add-on to lactulose in reducing HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalization for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Effects of a psychosocial intervention at one-year follow-up in a PREDIMED-plus sample with obesity and metabolic syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Núria Mallorquí-Bagué ◽  
María Lozano-Madrid ◽  
Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz ◽  
Laura Forcano ◽  
Andrés Díaz-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Food Addiction ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lifestyle Recommendations ◽  
One Year ◽  
Mediational Role

AbstractThis study examines if overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms, and if these variables could be modified after 1 year of a multimodal intervention (diet, physical activity, psychosocial support). 342 adults (55–75 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus Cognition study were randomized to the intervention or to the control group (lifestyle recommendations). Cognitive and psychopathological assessments were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. At baseline, higher impulsivity was linked to higher food addiction and depressive symptoms, but not to body mass index (BMI). Food addiction not only predicted higher BMI and depressive symptoms, but also achieved a mediational role between impulsivity and BMI/depressive symptoms. After 1 year, patients in both groups reported significant decreases in BMI, food addiction and impulsivity. BMI reduction and impulsivity improvements were higher in the intervention group. Higher BMI decrease was achieved in individuals with lower impulsivity. Higher scores in food addiction were also related to greater post-treatment impulsivity. To conclude, overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms in mid/old age individuals with MetS. Our results also highlight the modifiable nature of the studied variables and the interest of promoting multimodal interventions within this population.

scholarly journals The Dwarfing Effects of Different Plant Growth Retardants on Magnolia wufengensis L.Y. Ma et L. R. Wang

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Xiaodeng Shi ◽  
Siyu Chen ◽  
Zhongkui Jia
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Growth Retardants ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Node Number ◽  
Plant Growth Retardants ◽  
One Year ◽  
Prohexadione Calcium ◽  
Magnolia Wufengensis

The effects of varieties, concentrations, and number of applications of plant growth retardants (PGRs) on the morphological, physiological, and endogenous hormones of Magnolia wufengensis L.Y. Ma et L. R. Wang were assessed to obtain the most suitable dwarfing protocol for M. wufengensis and to provide theoretical support and technical guidance for the cultivation and promotion of this species. One-year-old M. wufengensis ‘Jiaohong No. 2’ grafted seedlings served as the experimental materials. In the first part of the experiment, three PGRs (uniconazole, paclobutrazol, prohexadione calcium), three concentrations (500, 1000, 1500 ppm), and three applications (one, three, and five applications) were applied in dwarfing experiments to perform L9 (34) orthogonal tests. In the second part of the study, dwarfing experiments were supplemented with different high uniconazole concentrations (0, 1500, 2000, 2500 ppm). Spraying 1500 ppm uniconazole five times achieved the best M. wufengensis dwarfing effect, related indicators of M. wufengensis under this treatment were better than other treatment combinations. Here, M. wufengensis plant height, internode length, scion diameter, and node number were significantly reduced by 56.9%, 62.6%, 72.8%, and 74.4%, respectively, compared with the control group. This treatment increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 66.0%, peroxidase (POD) activity by 85.0%, soluble protein contents by 43.3%, and soluble sugar contents by 27.6%, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents by 32.1% in leaves of M. wufengensis compared with the control. The stress resistance of M. wufengensis was enhanced. The treatment also reduced gibberellin (GA3) levels by 73.0%, auxin (IAA) by 58.0%, and zeatin (ZT) by 70.6%, and increased (abscisic acid) ABA by 98.1% in the leaves of M. wufengensis. The uniconazole supplementation experiment also showed that 1500 ppm was the optimal uniconazole concentration. The leaves exhibited abnormalities such as crinkling or adhesion when 2000 or 2500 ppm was applied. Given the importance of morphological indicators and dwarfing for the ornamental value of M. wufengensis, the optimal dwarfing treatment for M. wufengensis was spraying 1500 ppm uniconazole five times.

scholarly journals Disorganization of intercalated discs in dilated cardiomyopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukinobu Ito ◽  
Makoto Yoshida ◽  
Hirotake Masuda ◽  
Daichi Maeda ◽  
Yukitsugu Kudo-Asabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Pathological Diagnosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Failure Group ◽  
Intercalated Discs ◽  
Group Reduction ◽  
Group A ◽  
Morphological Differences

AbstractDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a primary myocardial disease, the pathology of which is left ventricular or biventricular dilation and impaired myocardial contractility. The clinical and pathological diagnosis of DCM is difficult, and other cardiac diseases must be ruled out. Several studies have reported pathological findings that are characteristic of DCM, including cardiomyocyte atrophy, nuclear pleomorphism, and interstitial fibrosis, but none of these findings are DCM-specific. In this study, we examined the morphological differences in the intercalated discs (ICDs) between three groups of patients, a DCM group, a chronic heart failure group, and a control group. A total of 22 autopsy cases, including five DCM cases, nine CHF cases and eight control cases, were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Pathology at Akita University, Japan. The morphological differences were examined using multiple methods: macroscopic examination, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and gene expression analyses. We observed disorganized ICDs, clearly illustrated by N-cadherin immunostaining in the DCM group. “Reduction of N-cadherin immunostaining intensity” and “ICD scattering” was DCM-specific. The results suggest that disorganized ICDs contribute to the development of DCM, and that N-cadherin immunostaining is useful for determining the presence of disorganized ICDs and for the pathological diagnosis of DCM.

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