scholarly journals Simultaneous Damage of the Cingulate Cortex Zone II and Fronto-Striatal Circuit Causes Prolonged Selective Attentional Deficits

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riho Nakajima ◽  
Masashi Kinoshita ◽  
Mitsutoshi Nakada

Selective attention is essential for successful cognitive performance. Although several brain areas are known to be involved in selective attention, damage to some of these areas does not necessarily cause attentional deficits. In the current study, we hypothesized that damage to specific parts of the right cerebral hemisphere, especially the cingulate cortex (CC), causes prolonged selective attentional deficits, and examined the influence of focal brain damage on selective attention. We recruited 36 patients with right cerebral hemispheric WHO grade 2 and 3 brain tumors who underwent surgery. We assessed selective attention over time from pre-operation to 3 months postoperatively using the cancelation test and color Stroop test, and calculated the percentage of deficit. Additionally, two types of imaging analyses were performed: voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) and multiple logistic regression analysis, to reveal related brain regions for selective attention. Consequently, we found that the CC and deep part of the middle frontal gyrus were associated with deficits in selective attention via VLSM. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the CC zone II at the cortical level (p < 0.0001) and the fronto-striatal tract (FST) at the subcortical level (p = 0.0079) were associated with attentional deficit among several regions identified in the VLSM. At 3 months postoperatively, selective attention was impaired in patients who underwent resection of these regions. Moreover, only patients with simultaneous damage of the CC zone II and FST had prolonged attentional deficits until the chronic phase. Our results suggest that the right CC zone II and FST are critical areas for the selective attentional networks.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 130-140
Author(s):  
Asraf Ahmad Qamruddin ◽  
Reza Qamruddin ◽  
Ayu Malik

Objectives: To determine the incidence rate of measles and the factors associated with confirmed measles cases in Larut, Matang and Selama districts. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was carried out looking at all suspected and laboratoryconfirmed measles cases in Larut, Matang and Selama districts between 2015 and 2019. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors for laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Results: The incidence rate for suspected measles showed an increasing trend from 2015–2019. For laboratory-confirmed measles cases, the incidence rate showed more variation with an increase to 36.11 per million population in 2017 from 5.67 per million population in 2015. The incidence rate later decreased to 10.99 per million population in 2018 and increased again to 24.47 per million population in 2019. From multiple logistic regression analysis, cases that fulfilled the case definition of measles were more likely to be laboratory-confirmed measles. On the other hand, a prior history of measles immunisation was a protective factor. Conclusion: Measles incidence is increasing in trend. Any suspected measles cases that fulfilled the clinical case definitions need to be further investigated. Immunisation should be promoted as they are effective in preventing and eliminating measles.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Tezuka ◽  
Adina Turcu

Abstract Background: Medical treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) is preferred for patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) who are not surgical candidates. Adequate mineralocorticoid receptor blockade, as suggested by renin elevation above suppression levels, has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular and renal complications as compared with PA with sustained renin suppression. Objectives: To assess the timeline and rates of achieving target renin levels in patients with PA and low renin hypertension treated with MRAs. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with hypertension who were treated with MRAs in an academic center between 2003-2019. Of these, we included patients who had suppressed renin at baseline, and repeated renin measurement(s) during MRAs therapy. Renin suppression was defined as plasma renin activity (PRA) 1.0 ng/mL/h or direct renin concentration (DRC) 8.0 pg/mL. We excluded patients with adrenal cancer, end-stage renal disease, exogenous glucocorticoids, and critically ill. Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed, as appropriate. Results: So far, 89 patients (45 men), median age 56 (range, 19-84), have been included. Of these, 46% had confirmed PA; 25% had positive PA screening, but no confirmatory tests; and 29% had other forms of low-renin hypertension. On average, patients were on 2.9 1.6 antihypertensive agents; 62% of patients were prescribed beta blockers, and 38% were on K+ supplements. Overall, renin (PRA in 69 cases, and DRC in 20 cases) increased after MRA treatment (from 0.40 [0.10, 0.60] ng/mL/h to 1.10 [0.60, 2.23] ng/mL/h; and from 2.1 [2.1, 3.7] pg/mL to 5.7 [2.9, 16.7] pg/mL, respectively, p<0.0001 for both). The cumulative proportions of patients in whom renin reached target levels during MRA treatment were: 25% at 2 weeks; 38.9% at 1 month; 34.2% at 3 months; 39.5% at 6 months; and 47.2% at 1 year. Age, sex, race, blood pressure, use of beta blockers, renal function, serum K+ and aldosterone concentrations were similar between patients with target vs. suppressed renin. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that after adjusting for age and sex, higher MRA dose and higher BMI were associated with higher likelihood of achieving target renin during MRA therapy (odds ratio (95%CI): 1.021 (1.001-1.041) and 1.097 (1.008-1.193), respectively, p<0.05 for both); conversely, beta blockers use tended to be less often associated with target renin (odds ratio, 0.37 (0.13-1.008), p=0.052). Conclusion: Although raising renin above suppression levels is important for reducing the cardiovascular risk associated with PA, this goal is achieved in less than half of patients, even after one year of treatment with MRAs, in an academic setting. Strategies for optimizing PA treatment are critically needed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsi-Che Shen ◽  
Yi-Chun Hu ◽  
Yu-Fen Chen ◽  
Tao-Hsin Tung

Purpose. To evaluate sex-related differences in the prevalence of and cardiovascular risk factors related to gallstone disease (GSD) in an elderly agricultural and fishing population of Taipei, Taiwan.Methods. The study sample consisted of 6511 healthy elderly participants (3971 men and 2540 women) who were voluntarily admitted to a teaching hospital for a physical checkup in 2010. The participants’ blood samples and real-time ultrasound fatty liver results were collected.Results. The prevalence of GSD in the study population was 13.2%, which increased significantly with population age (P<.0001). Women were associated with significantly higher GSD prevalence than men (14.8% versus 12.2%; for the chi-square test,P=.003). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, female sex, older age, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were significantly associated with GSD. Multiple logistic regression analysis also revealed that obesity (odds ratioOR=1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.44) and metabolic factors (one or 2 versus none,OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.08–1.76) were significantly associated with GSD in women but not in men.Conclusion. In the study population, female sex, older age, and MetS were associated with higher GSD prevalence. The population exhibited other sex-related differences.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chikanobu Sonoda ◽  
Yutaka Sakurai ◽  
Manabu Okoda ◽  
Masato Ebisawa ◽  
Hiroshi Nakashima ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Dental problems may have a great impact on military mission effectiveness, as such, evidence-based dental classification guidelines are required for minimizing the occurrence of dental problems. The aim of this study is to elucidate the independent contribution of each oral disease to the perception of dental problems among Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) personnel in order to make the dental classification guidelines more precise for the prediction of future dental problems. Materials and Methods Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel who were examined during the annual dental checkup in 2013 answered questions about the experience of dental problems within the last 12 months in 2014. The associations between the items of a dental checkup and the perception of dental problems were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis with a stepwise procedure to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Results The data of a total of 22,441 subjects were included in the analysis. Those who declared to have perceived dental problems within the last 12 months were 5,088 (22.7%). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that personnel who had decayed teeth had a higher chance of experiencing dental problems than those who had no dental caries. Personnel whose periodontal disease was judged to be more severe in a dental examination had a greater OR for the perception of dental problems. Conclusion These results may become recommendations for operations in the JMSDF dental classification system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatem Kaies Ibrahim Elsayed Ali ◽  
Ahmed Daoud ◽  
Karim Soliman

Abstract Background and Aims Survival after renal transplantation has improved significantly over the past 20 years. On the contrary, surprisingly little is known about the functional status post-transplant. A fundamental understanding of the functional status of patients surviving renal transplantation is of primary importance to clinicians and families alike, who often pursue renal transplantation with a principal hope that functional status will improve. The aim of our study is to assess the effect of renal transplantation on functional status of the patients in tacrolimus era Method Using data from the United States organ procurement and transplantation network, all renal transplant patients maintained on tacrolimus-based immunotherapy and had functional assessment at time of transplant and five-years post-transplant were retrospectively reviewed. Data including age, sex, gender, ethnicity, functional status, diabetes, body mass index, cold ischemia time, number of previous transplants, panel reactive antibodies, donor type, donor age, HLA-mismatches, number of acute rejection episodes, induction therapies, maintenance immunotherapy on discharge were collected. Functional status was defined according to Karnofsky score measurements. Descriptive analysis was used to assess effect of renal transplantation on functional status. Outcome measured was functional status five-years post-transplant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors affecting functional status post-transplant. Results 19704 patients were included in the study. Among patients with mild impairment at time of transplant, only 13.55% showed worsening of functional status. Among patients with moderate impairment at time of transplant, 65.5% showed improvement of functional status while only 3.92% showed worsening of functional status. Among patients with severe impairment at time of transplant, 88.56% showed improvement in functional status (64.57% showed improvement to mild impairment and 23.99% showed improvement to moderate impairment). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that steroid withdrawal protocol is associated with improvement in functional status (OR=1.24, P=0.007, CI ranges from 1.06 to 1.45), while dialysis maintenance before transplantation was associated with abnormal functional status post-transplant (OR=0.73, P=0.003, CI ranges from 0.59 to 0.89). Conclusion This study revealed that renal transplantation is associated with substantial improvement in functional status of the patients. Steroid withdrawal protocols is associated with significant improvement in functional status while maintenance dialysis before transplantation is associated with worse outcomes. This study recommends using steroid withdrawal protocols and performing transplantation for the patients at the pre-dialysis state. Functional status at time of transplant shouldn’t be a hindrance to performing transplantation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Alizadeh ◽  
Vahid Ziaee ◽  
Lotf-Ali Frooghifard ◽  
Mohammad-Ali Mansournia ◽  
Ziba Aghsaeifard

Background. This study was designed to evaluate the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurring on different climbing routes on Mount Damavand and the effect of beginning time of ascent in Iranian trekkers.Methods. This study was a descriptive cohort investigation, performed in summer 2007. All trekkers who ascended Mount Damavand from northern, western, eastern, and southern paths and passed 4200 m altitude were included in the study. Two questionnaires were completed for each trekker (personal information and Lake Louise score questionnaire). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent predicting variables for AMS.Results. Overall incidence rate of AMS was 53.6%. This rate was the highest in south route (61.5%) (P<0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of AMS on other paths. AMS history, AMS history on Damavand, the beginning time of climbing, sleeping at 4200 m altitude, and home altitude had significant effect on AMS incidence, but by multiple logistic regression analysis south route and AMS history on Mount Damavand had positive effect on incidence of AMS (P=0.019andP<0.001).Conclusion. The path and the beginning time of ascent can affect incidence of AMS. The risk of occurrence of AMS was 1.9 times as large for trekkers who ascended from southern route.


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