Modelling white matter with spherical deconvolution:How and why?

Since the realization that diffusion MRI can probe the microstructural organization and orientation of biological tissue in vivo and non-invasively, a multitude of diffusion imaging methods have been developed and applied to study the living human brain. Diffusion tensor imaging was the first model to be widely adopted in clinical and neuroscience research, but it was also clear from the beginning that it suffered from limitations when mapping complex configurations, such as crossing fibres. In this review, we highlight the main steps that have led the field of diffusion imaging to move from the tensor model to the adoption of diffusion and fibre orientation density functions as a more effective way to describe the complexity of white matter organization within each brain voxel. Among several techniques, spherical deconvolution has emerged today as one of the main approaches to model multiple fibre orientations and for tractography applications. Here we illustrate the main concepts and the reasoning behind this technique, as well as the latest developments in the field. The final part of this review provides practical guidelines and recommendations on how to set up processing and acquisition protocols suitable for spherical deconvolution.</p

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Evidence for rangewide panmixia despite multiple barriers to dispersal in a marine mussel

Oceanographic features shape the distributional and genetic patterns of marine species by interrupting or promoting connections among populations. Although general patterns commonly arise, distributional ranges and genetic structure are species-specific and do not always comply with the expected trends. By applying a multimarker genetic approach combined with Lagrangian particle simulations (LPS) we tested the hypothesis that oceanographic features along northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean shores influence dispersal potential and genetic structure of the intertidal mussel Perna perna. Additionally, by performing environmental niche modelling we assessed the potential and realized niche of P. perna along its entire native distributional range and the environmental factors that best explain its realized distribution. Perna perna showed evidence of panmixia across > 4,000 km despite several oceanographic breaking points detected by LPS. This is probably the result of a combination of life history traits, continuous habitat availability and stepping-stone dynamics. Moreover, the niche modelling framework depicted minimum sea surface temperatures (SST) as the major factor shaping P. perna distributional range limits along its native areas. Forthcoming warming SST is expected to further change these limits and allow the species to expand its range polewards though this may be accompanied by retreat from warmer areas.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT-MEC, Portugal) [UID/Multi/04326/2013, IF/01413/2014/CP1217/CT0004]; South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) of the Department of Science and Technology; National Research Foundation; South African National Research Foundation (NRF); Portuguese Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) [SFRH/BPD/85040/2012, SFRH/BPD/111003/2015]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A systematic review of factors associated with non-adherence to treatment for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Background: Non-adherence impacts negatively on patient health outcomes and has associated economic costs. Understanding drivers of treatment adherence in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is key for the development of effective strategies to tackle non-adherence. Objective: To identify factors associated with treatment non-adherence across diseases in three clinical areas: rheumatology, gastroenterology, and dermatology. Design: Systematic review Data sources: Articles published in PubMed, Science Direct, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library from 1 January 1980 to 14 February 2014. Study selection: Studies were eligible if they included patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or psoriasis and included statistics to examine associations of factors with non-adherence. Data extraction: Data were extracted by the first reviewer using a standardised 23-item form and verified by a second/ third reviewer. Quality assessment was carried out for each study using a 16-item quality checklist. Results: 73 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Demographic or clinical factors were not consistently associated with non-adherence. Limited evidence was found for an association between non-adherence and treatment factors such as dosing frequency. Consistent associations with adherence were found for psychosocial factors, with the strongest evidence for the impact of the healthcare professional-patient relationship, perceptions of treatment concerns and depression, lower treatment self-efficacy and necessity beliefs, and practical barriers to treatment. Conclusions: While examined in only a minority of studies, the strongest evidence found for non-adherence were psychosocial factors. Interventions designed to address these factors may be most effective in tackling treatment non-adherence

Exercise inhibits the effects of smoke-induced COPD involving modulation of STAT3

Purpose . Evaluate the participation of STAT3 in the e ff ects of aerobic exercise (AE) in a model of smoke-induced COPD. Methods . C57Bl/6 male mice were divided into control, Exe, COPD, and COPD+Exe groups. Smoke were administered during 90 days. Treadmill aerobic training begun on day 61 until day 90. Pulmonary in fl ammation, systemic in fl ammation, the level of lung emphysema, and the airway remodeling were evaluated. Analysis of integral and phosphorylated expression of STAT3 by airway epithelial cells, peribronchial leukocytes, and parenchymal leukocytes was performed. Results . AE inhibited smoke-induced accumulation of total cells ( p <0 001 ), lymphocytes ( p <0 001 ), and neutrophils ( p <0 001 ) in BAL, as well as BAL levels of IL- 1 β ( p <0 001 ), CXCL1 ( p <0 001 ), IL-17 ( p <0 001 ), and TNF- α ( p <0 05 ), while increased the levels of IL-10 ( p <0 001 ). AE also inhibited smoke-induced increases in total leukocytes ( p <0 001 ), neutrophils ( p <0 05 ), lymphocytes ( p <0 001 ), and monocytes ( p <0 01 ) in blood, as well as serum levels of IL-1 β ( p <0 01 ), CXCL1 ( p <0 01 ), IL-17 ( p <0 05 ), and TNF- α ( p <0 01 ), while increased the levels of IL-10 ( p <0 001 ). AE reduced smoke-induced emphysema ( p <0 001 ) and collagen fi ber accumulation in the airways ( p <0 001 ). AE reduced smoke-induced STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 expression in airway epithelial cells ( p <0 001 ), peribronchial leukocytes ( p <0 001 ), and parenchymal leukocytes ( p <0 001 ). Conclusions .AE reduces smoke-induced COPD phenotype involving STAT3

Immune response pattern in recurrent Plasmodium vivax malaria

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud \ud Plasmodium vivax is the causative agent of human malaria of large geographic distribution, with 35 million cases annually. In Brazil, it is the most prevalent species, being responsible by around 70 % of the malaria cases.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud A cross-sectional study was performed in Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil), including 36 adult patients with primary malaria, 19 with recurrent malaria, and 20 endemic controls. The ex vivo phenotypic features of circulating leukocyte subsets (CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, NK, NKT, B, B1 and Treg cells) as well as the plasmatic cytokine profile (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and IFN-γ) were assessed, aiming at establishing patterns of immune response characteristic of primary malaria vs recurrent malaria as compared to endemic controls.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud The proportion of subjects with high levels of WBC was reduced in malaria patients as compared to the endemic control. Monocytes were diminished particularly in patients with primary malaria. The proportion of subjects with high levels of all lymphocyte subsets was decreased in all malaria groups, regardless their clinical status. Decreased proportion of subjects with high levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells was found especially in the group of patients with recurrent malaria. Data analysis indicated significant increase in the proportion of the subjects with high plasmatic cytokine levels in both malaria groups, characterizing a typical cytokine storm. Recurrent malaria patients displayed the highest plasmatic IL-10 levels, that correlated directly with the CD4+/CD8+ T-cells ratio and the number of malaria episodes.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud The findings confirm that the infection by the P. vivax causes a decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, which is intensified in the cases of “recurrent malaria”. The unbalanced CD4+/CD8+ T-cells ratio, as well as increased IL-10 levels were correlated with the number of recurrent malaria episodes. These results suggest that the gradual remodelling of the immune response is dependent on the repeated exposure to the parasite, which involves a strict control of the immune response mediated by the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell unbalance and exacerbated IL-10 secretion.Financial support was provided by grants from FAPEAM, CNPq and Programa\ud do Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Vacinas (INCT-Vacina). YOC\ud was awarded with a fellowship from INCT-Vacina/CNPq and AGC with a fellow‑\ud ship from CAPES (PhD students). AM and ATC are level 2 CNPq research fellow.\ud MVGL and OAMF are level 1 CNPq research fellows. CRFM, OAMF and ATC are\ud FAPEAM research fellows (PVS Programme - PECTI-AM/PG#019/2013). JGCdR\ud received postdoctoral fellowship from CAPES (PNPD/CAPES programme). The\ud funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to\ud publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Trace Elements and Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotopes in Organisms from a Tropical Coastal Lagoon

Trace elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) and stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) were analyzed in sediments, invertebrates, and fishes from a tropical coastal lagoon influenced by iron ore mining and processing activities to assess the differences in trace element accumulation patterns among species and to investigate relations with trophic levels of the organisms involved. Overall significant negative relations between trophic level (given by 15N) and trace element concentrations in gastropods and crustaceans showed differences in internal controls of trace element accumulation among the species of different trophic positions, leading to trace element dilution. Generally, no significant relation between δ15N and trace element concentrations was observed among fish species, probably due to omnivory in a number of species as well as fast growth. Trace element accumulation was observed in the fish tissues, with higher levels of most trace elements found in liver compared with muscle and gill. Levels of Fe, Mn, Al, and Hg in invertebrates, and Fe and Cu in fish livers, were comparable with levels in organisms and tissues from other contaminated areas. Trace element levels in fish muscle were below the international safety baseline standards for human consumption