Association between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and the central choroidal thickness during pregnancy: a prospective study

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and the choroidal structure during the pregnancy.Methods and analysisThis prospective study enrolled 24 eyes of 12 consecutive healthy pregnant women. Each participant was evaluated during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period. The central choroidal thickness (CCT) and Choroidal Vascular Index (CVI) were measured using enhanced depth-imaging optical coherence tomography. Moreover, serum sFlt-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were measured manually using ELISA. The association between choroidal structural parameters and serum sFlt-1/VEGF was analysed using a linear mixed model.ResultsThe CCT was significantly thicker in the second and third trimester than the postpartum period (p<0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the CVI throughout pregnancy or the postpartum period. Serum sFlt-1 levels were significantly higher during pregnancy than the postpartum period (p<0.05), whereas the serum VEGF levels were significantly lower during pregnancy than the postpartum period (p<0.05). Furthermore, serum sFlt-1 levels were significantly associated with CCT throughout pregnancy (p=0.011, linear mixed model). On the contrary, sFlt-1 levels was not associated with the CVI during the pregnancy.ConclusionOur results suggest that serum sFlt-1 might have an influence on the choroidal thickness during the pregnancy.

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Assessment of the choroidal structure in pregnant women in the first trimester

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84204-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keiko Azuma ◽

Atsushi Okubo ◽

Takafumi Suzuki ◽

Nozomi Igarashi ◽

Yoko Nomura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

First Trimester ◽

Study Groups ◽

Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Luminal Area ◽

Choroidal Structure ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy

AbstractWe investigated the anatomical differences in the choroidal structure between pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy and age-matched healthy nonpregnant women using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and choroidal binarization analysis. The main parameters measured in the two study groups, namely, pregnant women in the first trimester and healthy nonpregnant women, were choroidal thickness and the choroidal luminal area. Binarization of the EDI-OCT images from each patient was performed, and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated. The correlations between the baseline characteristics of the subjects and the CVI were investigated using linear mixed model analysis. As a result, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, best-corrected visual acuity, axial length, central retinal thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, systolic blood pressure (BP), or diastolic BP between the two study groups. Conversely, a significant difference was observed in the CVI (P = 0.012) between the two groups. The multivariate analysis identified a significant correlation between the CVI and the systolic BP (P = 0.0044, linear mixed test). Taken together, a larger choroidal luminal area was associated with a higher systolic BP, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Our findings may provide further insight into the choroidal changes that occur during pregnancy.

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Optic nerve head cupping in glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous optic neuropathy

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 103 (3) ◽

pp. 374-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Masoud Aghsaei Fard ◽

Sasan Moghimi ◽

Alireza Sahraian ◽

Robert Ritch

Keyword(s):

Optic Nerve ◽

Optic Neuropathy ◽

Optic Nerve Head ◽

Axial Length ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽

Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy ◽

Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness ◽

Significant Difference

BackgroundEnlargement of optic disc cupping is seen both in glaucoma and in neurological disorders. We used enhanced depth imaging with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to differentiate glaucoma from non-glaucomatous optic neuropathy.MethodsThe optic discs were scanned in this prospective comparative study, and the lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness and anterior laminar depth (ALD) in the central, superior and inferior optic nerve head, and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses, were measured.ResultsThere were 31 eyes of 31 patients with severe glaucoma and 33 eyes of 19 patients with non-glaucomatous cupping. Eyes of 29 healthy controls were also enrolled. There was no significant difference in the cup-to-disc ratio and in the average peripapillary nerve fibre layer thickness between the glaucoma and non-glaucomatous cupping groups (p>0.99). The average peripapillary choroidal thickness was thinner in glaucoma eyes than in the control eyes after adjusting for age and axial length. Glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes had greater ALD and thinner LC than the control eyes (p<0.001 for both). ALDs of glaucoma eyes were deeper than non-glaucomatous eyes (p=0.01 for central ALD) when age, axial length and peripapillary choroidal thickness were included in the linear mixed model. Prelaminar thickness and LC thickness of glaucoma eyes were not different from non-glaucomatous eyes after adjusting.ConclusionDeeper ALD was observed in glaucoma than non-glaucomatous cupping after adjusting for choroidal thickness.

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How Perceived Sensory Dimensions of Forest Park Are Associated with Stress Restoration in Beijing?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020883 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 883

Author(s):

Congying An ◽

Jinglan Liu ◽

Qiaohui Liu ◽

Yuqi Liu ◽

Xiaoli Fan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Forest Park ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Visit Frequency ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Visit Duration ◽

Forest Parks

A growing number of studies suggest that the perceived sensory dimensions (PSDs) of green space are associated with stress restoration offered by restorative environment. However, there is little known about PSDs and stress restoration as well as their relationship to forest park. To fill this gap, an on-site questionnaire survey was conducted in three forest parks in Beijing, as a result of which a total number of 432 completed responses were collected and analyzed. The mean values of PSDs were used to represent PSDs of forest park. Using independent sample t-test and ANOVA, this study analyzed the individual characteristics that affected PSDs and stress restoration. Linear mixed model was used to identify the relationship between PSDs and stress restoration of forest park, which took into account the interactions of stress level and PSDs. The results showed that: (1) the perceived degree of PSDs in forest park from strong to weak was Serene, Space, Nature, Rich in species, Prospect, Refuge, Social and Culture, which varied with visitors’ gender, age, level of stress, visit frequency, activity intensity, visit duration and commuting time; (2) in PSDs, Refuge, Serene, Social and Prospect had significantly positive effects on the stress restoration of forest parks (3) there was no significant difference in the effect of the eight PSDs on the stress restoration between different stress groups; (4) stress restoration was influenced by visitors’ gender, age, visit frequency and visit duration. These findings can offer references for managers to improve the health benefits of forest park for visitors, and can enrich the knowledge about PSDs and stress restoration.

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The nasopharyngeal, ruminal, and vaginal microbiota and the core taxa shared across these microbiomes in virgin yearling heifers exposed to divergent in utero nutrition during their first trimester of gestation and in pregnant beef heifers in response to mineral supplementation

10.1101/2021.06.03.446997 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samat Amat ◽

Devin B Holman ◽

Kaycie Schmidt ◽

Ana Clara B Menezes ◽

Friederike Baumgaertner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

First Trimester ◽

Nervous System Development ◽

Vaginal Microbiota ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Mineral Supplement ◽

Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽

Significant Difference

Emerging evidence has indicated that microbial transmission from the bovine dam to her fetus may take place before birth, and that the maternal microbiota during pregnancy modulates programming of fetal metabolic and nervous system development, highlighting the potential and extended role of the maternal microbiome in calf health and development. In the present study, we characterized the nasopharyngeal, ruminal and vaginal microbiota from two cohorts of beef heifers managed at the same location: 1) virgin yearling heifers (9 months old) born from dams received gestational diets which resulted in low (LG, n = 22) or medium (MG, n = 23) weight gain during the first 84 days of gestation; and 2) pregnant replacement heifers that received a vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM, n = 17) or not (Control, n = 15) during the first 6 months of gestation. Nasopharyngeal and vaginal swabs as well as ruminal fluid were collected from both cohorts and the microbiota of each sample was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition to the comparison between treatment groups within each cohort, the similarity of the microbiota of the three sample types were evaluated, and shared taxa amongst these communities were identified. The bacterial genera present in the rumen and vagina that can influence methanogenic archaeal genera were predicted using a stepwise-selected generalized linear mixed model. No significant difference was observed in the alpha and beta diversity in any of the nasopharyngeal, ruminal and vaginal microbiota between LG and MG offspring virgin heifers, or between the control and VTM pregnant heifers (p > 0.05). Subtle compositional changes in the vaginal microbiota in yearling heifers, and in the nasopharyngeal and ruminal microbiota of pregnant heifers were detected in response to treatments. Forty-one archaeal and bacterial OTUs were shared by over 60% of all samples from both virgin and pregnant heifers. Two taxa within the Methanobrevibacter genus were identified as core taxa and this genus was more relatively abundant in pregnant heifers compared to virgin heifers. Among the 25 top genera, Prevotella and Prevotella UCG-003 (negative) and Christensenellaceae R-7 group (positive) were predicted to have a significant effect on ruminal Methanobrevibacter spp. The results of this study indicate that there is little impact of divergent gestational nutrition during the first trimester on the calf microbiome at 9 months postnatal, and that VTM supplementation during pregnancy may not alter the maternal microbiome. This study provides evidence that there are several microbial taxa, including methanogenic archaea, that are shared across the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts, suggesting the need for a holistic evaluation of the bovine microbiota when considering potential maternal sources for seeding calves with pioneer microbiota.

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Abstract NS10: Patients with Mild and Moderate Stroke Have Frequent, Severe, and Persistent Impairment in Information Processing Speed

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.ns10 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Susan Alderman ◽

Terri Armstrong ◽

Geri Wood ◽

Sean Savitz ◽

Joshua Breier

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Memory Impairment ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Stroke Recovery ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mild Stroke

Background: One year after stroke 50-70% of survivors have information processing speed (IPS) impairment. IPS is a complex, elemental cognitive function with close but separate relationships with memory, attention, executive function, reading, and writing. IPS impairment can be devastating, even without physical deficits. Hypothesis: The frequency and severity of IPS impairment in patients with acute stroke is unrelated to stroke severity. Methods: In a longitudinal study, 30 adults with acute mild (NIHSS <5) versus moderate stroke (NIHSS 5-12) were assessed for IPS and memory impairments at three time points (< 72 hours, Week 3, and Week 12). The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) was the primary IPS instrument, scores below the norm (51-62 points) indicate impairment. Results: Using linear mixed model regression, no significant difference was noted between patients with mild and moderate stroke in frequency and severity of IPS impairment (p=0.2). All patients had baseline abnormal SDMT scores, improving 21% by Week 12 (p=.005) with one patient scoring as unimpaired (51 points). Patients with mild stroke (n=18) had baseline scores on average 53% lower than SDMT norm (mean score 24 (12), [95% CI] 6 [18, 30], Standard Error (SEM) 3) and 32% lower at Week 12 (mean 34 (11), [95% CI] 5 [29, 40], SEM 3). Patients with moderate stroke (n=12) had baseline SDMT scores 60% lower than norm (mean 21 (11), [95% CI] 6 [15, 27], SEM 3) and 39% lower by Week 12 (mean 31 (12), [95% CI] 7 [25, 38], SEM 3). Memory impairment at enrollment (<72 hours post stroke) was noted in 100% of patients with moderate stroke and 78% of patients with mild stroke; at Week 12 the frequency of memory impairment was equal in both groups (67%). Conclusion: IPS were critically impaired, in both mild and moderate stroke, with minimal spontaneous recovery at Week 12. IPS impairment is clinically significant during stroke recovery. IPS impairment should be considered in the planning of healthcare of stroke victims even with mild stroke.

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The northernmost haulout site of South American sea lions and fur seals in the western South Atlantic

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76755-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Natália Procksch ◽

M. Florencia Grandi ◽

Paulo Henrique Ott ◽

Karina Groch ◽

Paulo A. C. Flores ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Elephant Seal ◽

Southern Elephant Seal ◽

South American ◽

Mirounga Leonina ◽

Sea Lions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Northern Portion ◽

Kernel Density Analysis

AbstractWe present estimates of the seasonal and spatial occupation by pinnipeds of the Wildlife Refuge of Ilha dos Lobos (WRIL), based on aerial photographic censuses. Twenty aerial photographic censuses were analysed between July 2010 and November 2018. To assess monthly differences in the numbers of pinnipeds in the WRIL we used a Generalized Linear Mixed Model. Spatial analysis was carried out using Kernel density analysis of the pinnipeds on a grid plotted along the WRIL. Subadult male South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) were the most abundant pinniped in the WRIL. Potential females of this species were also recorded during half of the census. The maximum number of pinnipeds observed in the WRIL was 304 in September 2018, including an unexpected individual southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), and a high number of South American fur seal yearlings (Arctocephalus australis). However, there was no statistically significant difference in counts between months. In all months analysed, pinnipeds were most often found concentrated in the northern portion of the island, with the highest abundances reported in September. This study confirms the importance of the WRIL as a haulout site for pinnipeds in Brazil, recommends that land research and recreational activities occur in months when no pinnipeds are present, and encourages a regulated marine mammal-based tourism during winter and spring months.

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Appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin vs mirtazapine in healthy cats post-ovariectomy

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x20916391 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. 1176-1183

Author(s):

Marco Fantinati ◽

Julien Trnka ◽

Amélia Signor ◽

Séverine Dumond ◽

Géraldine Jourdan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Placebo Group ◽

Food Intake ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Mixed Model Analysis ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Difference Test

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the appetite-stimulating effect of gabapentin by comparing it with mirtazapine in healthy cats in the first 8 h after ovariectomy surgery. Methods This double-masked, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial included 60 healthy cats presented to the hospital for ovariectomy: 20 received gabapentin, 21 received mirtazapine and 19 received a placebo immediately before and 6 h after surgery. Food was offered at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h post-ovariectomy. After each meal, food intake was measured. Data were analysed using repeated-measure ANOVA and a linear mixed-model analysis. Post-hoc Tukey’s honest significant difference test was performed for multiple comparisons. Results Food intake increased in both treatment groups vs placebo. No statistically significant difference was found between cats treated with gabapentin or mirtazapine. Conclusions and relevance Cats receiving gabapentin ate more than cats in the placebo group. Thirty percent of cats in the gabapentin group covered their resting energy requirements, while none of the cats in the placebo group did. Gabapentin and mirtazapine produced similar effects on food intake.

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Outer Retinal Layers’ Thickness Changes in relation to Age and Choroidal Thickness in Normal Eyes

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/1698967 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mona Kamal Abdellatif ◽

Yasser Abdelmaguid Mohamed Elzankalony ◽

Ahmed Abdelmonsef Abdelhamid Ebeid ◽

Weam Mohamed Ebeid

Keyword(s):

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽

Old Patients ◽

Retinal Layers ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 3 ◽

Sd Oct

Purpose. To identify and correlate age-related changes in outer retinal layers’ thickness and choroidal thickness (CT) in the normal eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to investigate factors affecting these changes. Study Design. Observational cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods. We studied 125 healthy Egyptians between 20 and 79 years old. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (20–40 years), group 2 (40–60 years), and group 3 (>60 years). All patients had full ophthalmic examination. SD-OCT was done to measure the 9 ETDRS macular grid sectors of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor outer segment (RPE-OS), outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor inner segment (ONL-IS), and choroidal thickness (CT) (by enhanced depth imaging). Results. RPE-OS was significantly thinner in group 3 than in the other 2 groups (central: P<0.001). Moreover, the 3 groups were significantly different from each other regarding the CT (central: P<0.001); significant thinning was noticed in the choroid with age. The 3 groups did not show significant difference concerning the ONL-IS thickness. RPE-OS and CT showed statistically significant negative correlation with age (central RPE-OS: r = −0 C.345, P<0.001, and central CT: r = −0.725, P<0.001) while ONL-IS showed statistically nonsignificant correlation with age (central ONL-IS: r = −0.08, P=0.376). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most important determinant of central 1 mm RPE-OS thickness in this study was age (β = −0.087, P=0.010) rather than choroidal thinning (β = 0.001, P=0.879). Conclusion. RPE-OS layer thickness shows significant thinning with increasing age, and with decrease in CT, however, age is the most determinant factor of this thinning.

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Exercise-induced hypoalgesia in women with varying levels of menstrual pain

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2018-0020 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 303-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mervyn Travers ◽

Penny Moss ◽

William Gibson ◽

Dana Hince ◽

Sheree Yorke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Random Effect ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Menstrual Pain ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Exercise Induced

Abstract Background and aims: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a well-established phenomenon in pain-free individuals that describes a decrease in pain sensitivity after an acute bout of exercise. The EIH response has been demonstrated to be sub-optimal in the presence of persisting pain. Menstrual pain is a common recurrent painful problem with many women experiencing high levels of pain each cycle. However, the EIH response has not been examined in a cohort of women with high levels of menstrual pain. This research aimed to examine whether EIH manifests differently in women with varying levels of menstrual pain. The primary hypothesis was that women with high levels of menstrual pain would demonstrate compromised EIH. Secondary aims were to explore relationships between EIH and emotional state, sleep quality, body mass index (BMI) or physical activity levels. Methods: Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured in 64 participants using a digital handheld algometer before and after a submaximal isometric-handgrip exercise. EIH index was compared between low (VAS 0–3), moderate (VAS 4–7) and high (VAS 8–10) pain groups, using a linear mixed model analysis with participant as a random effect, and site, menstrual pain category and the interaction between the two, as fixed effects. Results: EIH was consistently induced in all groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the pain groups for EIH index (p=0.835) or for any co-variates (p>0.05). Conclusions: EIH was not found to differ between women who report regular low, moderate or high levels of menstrual pain, when measured at a point in their menstrual cycle when they are pain free. Implications: This study provides insight that EIH does not vary in women with differing levels of menstrual pain when they are not currently experiencing pain. The current findings indicate that, although menstrual pain can involve regular episodes of high pain levels, it may not be associated with the same central nervous system dysfunctions as seen in sustained chronic pain conditions.

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Effects of Exercise Restriction on Patients With Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery

World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery ◽

10.1177/2150135116674444 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 18-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Matthew D. Elias ◽

James Meza ◽

Brian W. McCrindle ◽

Julie A. Brothers ◽

Stephen Paridon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Young Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Exercise Restriction ◽

Over Time

Background: Management of young patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) may involve exercise restriction. We sought to identify the association of exercise restriction with changes over time in body mass index (BMI) and exercise capacity in this cohort. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with AAOCA seen at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between January 1, 1998, and August 31, 2014. Linear mixed model repeated-measures analysis assessed changes in BMI and exercise capacity. Results: We included 72 patients with a median age at presentation of 12.6 years (interquartile range: 10.1-15.8) and mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 3.0 years. The majority had an anomalous right coronary artery (71%) and interarterial ± intramural coronary course (90%). Surgery was performed in 54%, more often in those with interarterial/intramural course ( P < .001) and symptoms ( P = .003). Most patients (82%) were exercise-restricted on presentation, and restricted patients were older than those who were not restricted ( P = .01). There was no significant difference between restricted and nonrestricted patients in initial BMI z scores, percentage of patients with BMI over 85th percentile (26%) or exercise capacity variables. In univariable analysis, exercise restriction over time was not associated with change in BMI z score ( P = .25) or change in exercise variables. Restriction was not associated with significant change in these variables in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Although further investigation is warranted to determine the degree of adherence to exercise restriction, the recommendation of restriction alone is not associated with increasing BMI or decreasing exercise performance in the short-term.

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