Leptomeningeal enhancement under different MS immunotherapies: A monocentric retrospective cohort study of 214 patients

BACKGROUND

Leptomeningeal inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) mainly affects meningeal B-cell follicle-like structures linked to cortical and subpial lesions and can be visualized as leptomeningeal enhancement (LME).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the evolution of LME under different MS immunotherapies.

METHODS

A total of 214 MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapies or fingolimod at the university hospital Bern were screened for LME. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical records were retrospectively evaluated, and comparative statistics were applied.

RESULTS

We compared MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapies (128 patients (59.8%)) or fingolimod (86 patients (40.2%)). Of 128 anti-CD20-treated patients, 108 (84.4%) had no LME, 11 (8.6%) had persistent LME, and 9 (7.0%) showed resolution of LME. Of 86 fingolimod-treated MS patients, 81 (94.2%) had no LME and 5 (5.8%) persistent LME. Patients with LME persistence were older than those without or resolution of LME (p = 0.039). Resolution of LME was more frequent during anti-CD20 compared with fingolimod treatment (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

We observed LME resolution under treatment with anti-CD20 therapies. As LME might play an important role in cerebral gray matter pathology in MS, further investigations including extensions to higher field strengths, correlation with clinical phenotypes, and comparison with other immunotherapies are needed.

The future of divorce support: Is "digital" enough in presence of conflict?

Divorce conflict is the main driver of adverse postdivorce health adjustments among divorcing families. Despite the growing potential of online divorce support programs, there is concern that such solutions might not be sufficient to impact health-related disparities among high-conflict divorcees. The present study examined the effectiveness of the digital "Cooperation after Divorce" intervention as a function of conflict among 1856 recently divorced Danish residents. Linear mixed-effect regression modeling suggested that, although higher levels of divorce conflict at judicial divorce predicted worse health outcomes up to 1 year following divorce, the effectiveness of the digital divorce intervention did not vary as a function of the initial level of divorce conflict. Individuals in the intervention group with higher conflict in divorce still reported worse health at 12 months follow-up than those with lower levels of divorce conflict; however, much lower than the control group.

Two-stage model for estimating the spatiotemporal distribution of hourly PM1.0 concentrations over central and east China

Widespread and severe PM_1.0 (particulate matter ≤1.0 μm) pollution in China has a significant negative influence on human health. However, knowledge of the regional spatiotemporal distribution of PM_1.0 has been hindered by sparsely distributed PM_1.0 concentration data. In this work, a two-stage model (linear mixed effect-bagged tree model) was proposed for estimating hourly PM_1.0 pollution levels from July 2015 to June 2017 over central and east China by using Himawari-8 aerosol products and coincident geographic data, meteorology, and site-based PM_1.0 concentrations from ground monitoring network. The cross-validation for the developed model displayed R² and mean absolute error value of 0.80 and 9.3 μg/m³, respectively. Validation demonstrated that the model accurately estimated hourly PM_1.0 concentrations with high R² of 0.63-0.85 and low bias of 8.7-10.1 μg/m³. The estimated PM_1.0 concentrations on daily scale showed peaks with PM_1.0 of 36.9 ± 8.4 μg/m³ at rush hours during daytime. Seasonal distribution displayed that summer was cleanest with an average PM_1.0 of 20.9 ± 6.8 μg/m³ and winter was the most polluted season with an average PM_1.0 of 45.6 ± 16.8 μg/m³. These results indicated that the proposed satellite-based model can estimate reliable spatial distribution of PM_1.0 concentrations over a large-scale region.

Estimating PM2.5 Concentrations Based on MODIS AOD and NAQPMS Data over Beijing⁻Tianjin⁻Hebei

Accurately estimating fine ambient particulate matter (PM_2.5) is important to assess air quality and to support epidemiological studies. To analyze the spatiotemporal variation of PM_2.5 concentrations, previous studies used different methodologies, such as statistical models or neural networks, to estimate PM_2.5. However, there is little research on full-coverage PM_2.5 estimation using a combination of ground-measured, satellite-estimated, and atmospheric chemical model data. In this study, the linear mixed effect (LME) model, which used the aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), meteorological data, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and elevation data as predictors, was fitted for 2017 over Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH). The LME model was used to calibrate the PM_2.5 concentration using the nested air-quality prediction modeling system (NAQPMS) simulated with ground measurements. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used to fuse satellite-estimated and model-calibrated PM_2.5. The results showed a strong agreement with ground measurements, with an overall coefficient (R²) of 0.78 and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 26.44 μg/m³ in cross-validation (CV). The seasonal R² values were 0.75, 0.62, 0.80, and 0.78 in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The fusion results supplement the lack of satellite estimates and can capture more detailed information than the NAQPMS model. Therefore, the results will be helpful for pollution process analyses and health-related studies.

Effects of acute and sub-chronic administrations of guanfacine on catecholaminergic transmissions in the orbitofrontal cortex

The selective α2A adrenoceptor agonist guanfacine reduces hyperactivity and improves cognitive impairment in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The major mechanisms of guanfacine have been considered to involve activation of postsynaptic α2A adrenoceptor in frontal pyramidal neurons. However, the effects of chronic guanfacine administration on catecholaminergic transmissions associated with the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) remain unclear. To explore the mechanisms of action of guanfacine on catecholaminergic transmission, the effects of its acute local or sub-chronic systemic administration on catecholamine release within pathways from locus coeruleus (LC) to OFC and reticular thalamic nucleus (RTN), from RTN to mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MDTN), and from MDTN to OFC were determined using multi-probe microdialysis with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Acute OFC local administration of guanfacine did not affect catecholamine release in OFC. Acute LC local and sub-chronic systemic administrations of guanfacine reduced norepinephrine release in LC, OFC and RTN, and also reduced GABA release in MDTN, whereas AMPA-induced (perfusion with AMPA into NDTN) releases of l-glutamate, norepinephrine and dopamine in OFC were enhanced by sub-chronic systemic guanfacine administration. This study identified that catecholaminergic transmission is composed of three pathways: direct noradrenergic and co-releasing catecholaminergic LC-OFC pathways and intermediate LC-OFC (LC-RTN-MDTN-OFC) pathway. We demonstrated the dual actions of guanfacine on catecholaminergic transmission: attenuation of direct noradrenergic LC-OFC transmission at the resting stage and enhancement of direct co-releasing catecholaminergic LC-OFC transmission via GABAergic disinhibition in the intermediate LC-OFC pathway. These dual actions of guanfacine probably contribute to clinical actions of guanfacine against ADHD and its comorbid symptoms. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Current status of the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity'.

Wastewater cleanup using Phlebia acerina fungi: An insight into mycoremediation

The scarcity of available drinking water has led the researchers to develop novel and cost-effective ways of bioremediation process for wastewater treatment. Bioremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally sound method for the removal of toxic compounds. Such approach is not only a chemical-less effort but also an energy savior. In the present work Phlebia acerina, a white rot wood rotting fungi have been used to degrade the toxic wastewater pollutants. Congo Red (CR) and Eriochrome Black T (EBT) have been selected as model pollutants to test the wastewater cleaning ability of the fungus. The Lignin modifying enzyme (LME) and Cellulolytic enzyme assays (CMC) potential of Phlebia acerina helped in understanding the dye degradation mechanism. Under the optimum conditions, the fungi was able to degrade as high as 92.4% CR while the EBT was degraded to a maximum of 50%. Phlebia acerina was found to show first-order kinetics of dyes degradation. Further, the seed germination and antimicrobial assay of treated and untreated water were carried out in order to establish the formation of non-toxic end product after degradation.

White matter connectivity and aerobic fitness in male adolescents

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DTI was collected for 34 male adolescents, ages 15–17.

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Aerobic fitness related to white matter connectivity in frontal and motor tracts.

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HF had higher tractography streamline counts in CST and Fminor compared to LF.

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A negative relationship was seen between VO₂ peak and FA in the L CST.

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Exercise is an important environmental factor to consider during neurodevelopment.

Exercise has been shown to have positive effects on the brain and behavior throughout various stages of the lifespan. However, little is known about the impact of exercise on neurodevelopment during the adolescent years, particularly with regard to white matter microstructure, as assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Both tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and tractography-based along-tract statistics were utilized to examine the relationship between white matter microstructure and aerobic exercise in adolescent males, ages 15–18. Furthermore, we examined the data by both (1) grouping individuals based on aerobic fitness self-reports (high fit (HF) vs. low fit (LF)), and (2) using VO₂ peak as a continuous variable across the entire sample. Results showed that HF youth had an overall higher number of streamline counts compared to LF peers, which was driven by group differences in corticospinal tract (CST) and anterior corpus callosum (Fminor). In addition, VO₂ peak was negatively related to FA in the left CST. Together, these results suggest that aerobic fitness relates to white matter connectivity and microstructure in tracts carrying frontal and motor fibers during adolescence. Furthermore, the current study highlights the importance of considering the environmental factor of aerobic exercise when examining adolescent brain development.

Molecular effects of ER alpha- and beta-selective agonists on regulation of energy homeostasis in obese female Wistar rats

The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of selective ER subtype activation on lipogenesis, adipogenesis, lipid utilization and storage as well as glucose metabolism are currently largely unknown and were analyzed in female OVX Wistar rats on a high-fat diet. Rats received estradiol (E2), ER subtype-selective agonists (Alpha and Beta), and genistein (Gen) for 10 weeks. In adipose tissue, treatment with E2, Alpha, and Beta significantly decreased lipogenic (SREBP-1c, FAS) and adipogenic genes (LPL, PPAR gamma). In liver and skeletal muscle of E2-, Alpha-, Beta-, and Gen-treated animals, lipogenesis and triglyceride accumulation were significantly reduced. Increased hepatic and muscular PPAR gamma mRNA expression was observed in untreated, Beta- and Gen-treated animals, which correlates with increased hepatic glucose uptake. However, only untreated animals showed impaired insulin sensitivity compared to all other groups. Therefore, PPAR gamma up-regulation in untreated animals suggests a compensatory mechanism, probably due to increased triglyceride accumulation in non-adipose tissues. Beta- and Gen-treated animals may benefit from the anabolic potency of ER beta that ameliorates lipid and glucose utilization in muscle. Activation of either ER subtype reduces fat enrichment and improves insulin sensitivity. Depending on the investigated tissue, different molecular pathways seem to be involved.