Changes In FA Research Articles

Postmortem Fatty Acid Abnormalities in the Cerebellum of Patients with Essential Tremor.

Fatty acids play many critical roles in brain function but have not been investigated in essential tremor (ET), a frequent movement disorder suspected to involve cerebellar dysfunction. Here, we report a postmortem comparative analysis of fatty acid profiles by gas chromatography in the cerebellar cortex from ET patients (n = 15), Parkinson's disease (PD) patients (n = 15) and Controls (n = 17). Phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI)/ phosphatidylserine (PS) were separated by thin-layer chromatography and analyzed separately. First, the total amounts of fatty acids retrieved from the cerebellar cortex were lower in ET patients compared with PD patients, including monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The diagnosis of ET was associated with lower cerebellar levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and PUFA (DHA and ARA) in the PE fraction specifically, but with a higher relative content of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA; 20:3 ω-6) in the PC fraction. In contrast, a diagnosis of PD was associated with higher absolute concentrations of SFA, MUFA and ω-6 PUFA in the PI + PS fractions. However, relative PI + PS contents of ω-6 PUFA were lower in both PD and ET patients. Finally, linear regression analyses showed that the ω-3:ω-6 PUFA ratio was positively associated with age of death, but inversely associated with insoluble α-synuclein. Although it remains unclear how these FA changes in the cerebellum are implicated in ET or PD pathophysiology, they may be related to an ongoing neurodegenerative process or to dietary intake differences. The present findings provide a window of opportunity for lipid-based therapeutic nutritional intervention.

Post-treatment alterations in white matter integrity in PTSD: Effects on symptoms and functional connectivity a secondary analysis of an RCT

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to altered communication within the limbic system, including reduced structural connectivity in the uncinate fasciculus (UNC; i.e., decreased fractional anisotropy; FA) and reduced resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Previous research has demonstrated attenuation of PTSD symptoms and alterations in RSFC following exposure-based psychotherapy. However, the relationship between changes in structural and functional connectivity patterns and PTSD symptoms following treatment remains unclear. To investigate this, we conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of intensive exposure therapy, evaluating alterations in UNC FA, hippocampus-vmPFC RSFC, and PTSD symptoms before (pre-treatment), 7 days after (post-treatment), and 30 days after (follow-up) the completion of therapy. Our results showed that post-treatment changes in RSFC were positively correlated with post-treatment and follow-up changes in UNC FA and that post-treatment changes in UNC FA were positively correlated with post-treatment and follow-up changes in PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that early changes in functional connectivity are associated with sustained changes in anatomical connectivity, which in turn are linked to reduced PTSD symptom severity.

Cross-hemicord spinal fiber reorganization associates with cortical sensory and motor network expansion in the rat model of hemicontusion cervical spinal cord injury

Magnetic resonance imaging plays an important role in characterizing microstructural changes and reorganization after traumatic injuries to the nervous system. In this study, we tested the feasibility of ex-vivo spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in combination with in vivo brain functional MRI to characterize spinal reorganization and its supraspinal association after a hemicontusion cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). DTI parameters (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusion [MD]) and fiber orientation changes related to reorganization in the contused cervical spinal cord were compared to sham specimens. Altered fiber density and fiber directions occurred across the ipsilateral and contralateral hemicords but with only ipsilateral FA and MD changes. The hemicontusion SCI resulted in ipsilateral fiber breaks, voids and vivid fiber reorientations along the injury epicenter. Fiber directional changes below the injury level were primarily inter-hemispheric, indicating prominent below-level cross-hemispheric reorganization. In vivo resting state functional connectivity of the brain from the respective rats before obtaining the spinal cord samples indicated spatial expansion and increased connectivity strength across both the sensory and motor networks after SCI. The consistency of the neuroplastic changes along the neuraxis (both brain and spinal cord) at the single-subject level, indicates that distinctive reorganizational relationships exist between the spinal cord and the brain post-SCI.

A strategy to enhance and modify fatty acid synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum and Escherichia coli: overexpression of acyl-CoA thioesterases

BackgroundFatty acid (FA) is an important platform compound for the further synthesis of high‐value biofuels and oleochemicals, but chemical synthesis of FA has many limitations. One way to meet the future demand for FA could be to use microbial cell factories for FA biosynthesis.ResultsThioesterase (TE; TesA, TesB, and TE9) of Corynebacterium glutamicum (CG) can potentially improve FA biosynthesis, and tesA, tesB, and te9 were overexpressed in C. glutamicum and Escherichia coli (EC), respectively, in this study. The results showed that the total fatty acid (TFA) production of CGtesB and ECtesB significantly increased to 180.52 mg/g dry cell weight (DCW) and 123.52 mg/g DCW, respectively (P < 0.05). Overexpression strains CG and EC could increase the production of C16:0, C18:1(t), C18:2, C20:1, C16:1, C18:0, and C18:1(c) (P < 0.05), respectively, and the changes of long-chain FA resulted in the enhancement of TFA production. The enzymatic properties of TesA, TesB, and TE9 in vitro were determined: they were specific for long-, broad and short-chain substrates, respectively; the optimal temperature was 30.0 °C and the optimal acid–base (pH) were 8.0, 8.0, and 9.0, respectively; they were inhibited by Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, and K+.ConclusionOverexpression TE enhances and modifies FA biosynthesis with multiple productive applications, and the enzyme properties provided useful clues for optimizing FA synthesis.Graphical

Biomarcadores pronósticos en el uso del radio-223 en pacientes con cáncer de próstata metastásico resistente a la castración

ObjectivesEstablish basal biomarkers in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with Ra-223 that predicted a better overall survival (OS), assess hematology toxicity and treatment response. Materials and methodsRetrospective multicenter study in 151 patients with mCRPC between 2013 and 2020. OS was assessed according to basal hemoglobin (Hb), PSA, alkaline phosphatase (AP), WHO pain scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), number of metastatic lesions on bone scan (BS), use of protective bone agents and received. Hematological toxicities were evaluated. Treatment response was based on changes in FA and pain. ResultsMedian OS was 24months (95%CI: 16.5-31). OS in 70% of patients who received complete Ra-223 treatment (5-6 doses) was 34.9m vs. 5.8m in patients with incomplete treatment (1-4 doses). OS was longer in patients with lower PSA and AP, Hb>13g/dL, lesser bone metastasis on GO and ECOG 0-1. 52/151 patients (34%) died during follow-up. Nearly 70% of patients experienced decrease in pain and 66% reduction on AP. Half of patients had mild hematological adverse effects and only 5% had severe. ConclusionsmCRPC patients treated with Ra-223 who had Hb>13g/mL, ECOG 0-1, low AP, PSA<20ng/ml and lesser bone metastasis on BS shown a better OS with adequate safety profile.

White matter microstructural disruption in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) study.

To evaluate the ability of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) for detecting white matter (WM) microstructural abnormalities in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Diffusion-weighted images, enabling the estimation of NODDI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters, were acquired from 20 healthy controls (HC), 22 cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE), and 15 cirrhotic patients with MHE. Tract-based spatial statistics were used to determine differences in DTI (including fractional anisotropy [FA] and mean/axial/radial diffusivity [MD/AD/RD]) and NODDI parameters (including neurite density index [NDI], orientation dispersion index [ODI], and isotropic volume fraction [ISO]). Voxel-wise analyses of correlations between diffusion parameters and neurocognitive performance determined by Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) were completed. MHE patients had extensive NDI reduction and rare ODI reduction, primarily involving the genu and body of corpus callosum and the bilateral frontal lobe, corona radiata, external capsule, anterior limb of internal capsule, temporal lobe, posterior thalamic radiation, and brainstem. The extent of NDI and ODI reduction expanded from NHE to MHE. In both MHE and NHE groups, the extent of NDI change was quite larger than that of FA change. No significant intergroup difference in ISO/MD/AD/RD was observed. Tissue specificity afforded by NODDI revealed the underpinning of FA reduction in MHE. The NDI in left frontal lobe was significantly correlated with PHES. MHE is characterized by diffuse WM microstructural impairment (especially neurite density reduction). NODDI can improve the detection of WM microstructural impairments in MHE and provides more precise information about MHE-related pathology than DTI.

Serial deep gray nuclear DTI changes in Parkinson's disease over twelve years.

Deep gray nuclear pathology relates to motor deterioration in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Inconsistent deep nuclear diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings in cross-sectional or short-term longitudinal studies have been reported. Long-term studies in PD are clinically challenging; decade-long deep nuclear DTI data are nonexistent. We investigated serial DTI changes and clinical utility in a case-control PD cohort of 149 subjects (72 patients/77 controls) over 12 years. Participating subjects underwent brain MRI at 1.5T; DTI metrics from segmented masks of caudate, putamen, globus pallidus and thalamus were extracted from three timepoints with 6-year gaps. Patients underwent clinical assessment, including Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale Part 3 (UPDRS-III) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging. A multivariate linear mixed-effects regression model with adjustments for age and gender was used to assess between-group differences in DTI metrics at each timepoint. Partial Pearson correlation analysis was used to correlate clinical motor scores with DTI metrics over time. MD progressively increased over time and was higher in the putamen (p < 0.001) and globus pallidus (p = 0.002). FA increased (p < 0.05) in the thalamus at year six, and decreased in the putamen and globus pallidus at year 12. Putaminal (p = 0.0210), pallidal (p = 0.0066) and caudate MD (p < 0.0001) correlated with disease duration. Caudate MD (p < 0.05) also correlated with UPDRS-III and H&Y scores. Pallido-putaminal MD showed differential neurodegeneration in PD over 12 years on longitudinal DTI; putaminal and thalamic FA changes were complex. Caudate MD could serve as a surrogate marker to track late PD progression.

Milk fat depression and plasma lipids in dairy cows and goats

This study examines the effects of diets supplemented with various lipids selected to induce divergent milk fat content responses (including a milk fat depression) between dairy cows and goats on plasma lipid composition. The objective was to better understand the mechanisms behind the regulation of milk fat secretion in these two ruminant species. Twelve Holstein cows and 12 Alpine goats were fed a basal diet not supplemented (CTL) or supplemented with corn oil plus wheat starch (COS, 5% DM intake (DMI)), marine algae powder of Schizochytrium sp. (MAP, 1.5% DMI), or hydrogenated palm oil (HPO, 3% DMI), in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, during 28 days. On day 27, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis. Plasma lipid classes were quantified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, with triacylglycerol (TAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions analysed for FA composition by GLC. Plasma molecular species of TAG and ceramides were determined by HPLC–high-resolution MS and by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole, respectively. Irrespective of diet, plasma total lipid content was higher in cows than goats (+61%), and TAG concentration was higher in goats than cows (+157%). In cows, conversely to goats, COS increased the trans-10 C18:1 proportion in the free FA (+248%) and the TAG (+195%) fractions. In cows and goats, MAP induced increases in cholesterol esters, cholesterol and phospholipids compared to CTL and changes in the plasma free FA and FA of TAG profiles. In both ruminant species, the concentrations of the lipid fractions were unchanged by HPO compared to CTL. Our results point to species specificities and different diet effects in plasma concentrations and compositions of lipid fractions in cows and goats. These new data highlight how diets, that induce large variations in milk fat secretions, affect the plasma lipid classes available for milk fat synthesis.

Tracking dietary fatty acids in triacylglycerols and phospholipids of zooplankton

Abstract Fatty acids (FA) in lake zooplankton are largely provided by dietary FA and affected by taxonomic composition of zooplankton, temperature, and other environmental conditions. However, the extent to which dietary FA are retained and/or bioconverted in zooplankton remains unclear. In this lake study, we examined how dietary FA (seston), temperature and physico‐chemical variables (i.e., concentrations of chlorophyll a, dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate) explained the FA variation in membrane (phospholipids; PL) and storage (triacylglycerols; TAG) lipids of zooplankton. We tested the hypotheses that: (1) increasing dietary FA increases the FA content stored as TAG by zooplankton, whereas the FA content in PL remains unaffected by naturally occurring changes in dietary FA supply; and (2) FA in seston better predict the FA variations stored by zooplankton as TAG, whereas lake temperature better predicts the FA variations in zooplankton PL. Results show that an increase in dietary polyunsaturated FA increased polyunsaturated FA in TAG and PL of zooplankton, but not eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid in PL. Moreover, the FA content of seston was more similar to that of zooplankton TAG than it was to the content of PL, indicating major taxon‐specific differences in membrane FA. Dietary FA are a major predictor of FA in TAG of zooplankton, while the taxonomic composition of zooplankton is a major predictor of FA in PL. Temperature and physico‐chemical variables explained little of the variations in zooplankton FA. This field study improves our understanding of how FA in PL and TAG of different zooplankton taxa respond to changes of dietary FA, temperature, concentrations of chlorophyll‐a, dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate to fulfil their physiological requirements.

Signatures of increasing environmental stress in bumblebee wings over the past century: Insights from museum specimens.

Determining when animal populations have experienced stress in the past is fundamental to understanding how risk factors drive contemporary and future species' responses to environmental change. For insects, quantifying stress and associating it with environmental factors has been challenging due to a paucity of time-series data and because detectable population-level responses can show varying lag effects. One solution is to leverage historic entomological specimens to detect morphological proxies of stress experienced at the time stressors emerged, allowing us to more accurately determine population responses. Here we studied specimens of four bumblebee species, an invaluable group of insect pollinators, from five museums collected across Britain over the 20th century. We calculated the degree of fluctuating asymmetry (FA; random deviations from bilateral symmetry) between the right and left forewings as a potential proxy of developmental stress. We: (a) investigated whether baseline FA levels vary between species, and how this compares between the first and second half of the century; (b) determined the extent of FA change over the century in the four bumblebee species, and whether this followed a linear or nonlinear trend; (c) tested which annual climatic conditions correlated with increased FA in bumblebees. Species differed in their baseline FA, with FA being higher in the two species that have recently expanded their ranges in Britain. Overall, FA significantly increased over the century but followed a nonlinear trend, with the increase starting c. 1925. We found relatively warm and wet years were associated with higher FA. Collectively our findings show that FA in bumblebees increased over the 20th century and under weather conditions that will likely increase in frequency with climate change. By plotting FA trends and quantifying the contribution of annual climate conditions on past populations, we provide an important step towards improving our understanding of how environmental factors could impact future populations of wild beneficial insects.

Impact of sleeve gastrectomy compared to Roux-en-y gastric bypass upon hedonic hunger and the relationship to post-operative weight loss

‘Hedonic hunger’ indicates the desire to consume food in the absence of an energy requirement. Hedonic hunger can be investigated using the validated Power of Food Scale (PFS). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are currently the most effective treatment options for severe obesity. Following RYGB, hedonic hunger diminishes, which may contribute to sustained weight loss. There are no data examining the effect of SG on hedonic hunger. We prospectively evaluated hedonic hunger using PFS in patients with severe obesity prior to and 6 months after SG (n = 95) or RYGB (n = 44) and investigated the procedure-specific relationship between percentage weight loss (%WL) and hedonic hunger. Anthropometric data were collected at baseline after 6 months, 12 months and 24 months post-operatively. PFS contains 15 items grouped into 3 domains considering when food is: available (FA), present (FP), tasted (FT) and a total score (TS). At 6 months, a significant reduction was seen in all categories post-SG (p < 0.0001) and in TS (p = 0.003), FA (p = 0.0006) and FP (p = 0.0007) post-RYGB. A significantly larger reduction in FP scores was seen post-SG (p = 0.01). Post-SG, a significant correlation with 6-month %WL was noted for changes in FP (p = 0.03) and TS (p = 0.03). Post-SG changes in FP and TS predicted 24-month %WL. Post-RYGB significant correlations were seen between 6-month %WL and dFA (p = 0.04) and dFP (p = 0.03). Changes in FA, FP and TS were predictive of 12-month %WL. HH is reduced following both SG and RYGB with a greater reduction following SG and is related to post-operative %WL. PFS may have a role as a predictive tool for post-operative outcomes following SG and RYGB.

Age-related topographic map of magnetic resonance diffusion metrics in neonatal brains.

Accelerated maturation of brain parenchyma close to term‐equivalent age leads to rapid changes in diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of neonatal brains, which can complicate the evaluation and interpretation of these scans. In this study, we characterized the topography of age‐related evolution of diffusion metrics in neonatal brains. We included 565 neonates who had MRI between 0 and 3 months of age, with no structural or signal abnormality—including 162 who had DTI scans. We analyzed the age‐related changes of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values throughout brain and DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy [FA] and mean diffusivity [MD]) along white matter (WM) tracts. Rate of change in ADC, FA, and MD values across 5 mm cubic voxels was calculated. There was significant reduction of ADC and MD values and increase of FA with increasing gestational age (GA) throughout neonates' brain, with the highest temporal rates in subcortical WM, corticospinal tract, cerebellar WM, and vermis. GA at birth had significant effect on ADC values in convexity cortex and corpus callosum as well as FA/MD values in corpus callosum, after correcting for GA at scan. We developed online interactive atlases depicting age‐specific normative values of ADC (ages 34–46 weeks), and FA/MD (35–41 weeks). Our results show a rapid decrease in diffusivity metrics of cerebral/cerebellar WM and vermis in the first few weeks of neonatal age, likely attributable to myelination. In addition, prematurity and low GA at birth may result in lasting delay in corpus callosum myelination and cerebral cortex cellularity.

Application of Magnetic Resonance DTI Technique in Evaluating the Effect of Postoperative Exercise Rehabilitation

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a new kind of magnetic resonance imaging technology. Its imaging principle is to distinguish different pathological tissues according to the movement of water molecules, which is higher than regular magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging has exact utility price in medical analysis and sickness evaluation. However, there are few researches on the utility of diffusion tensor imaging in the rehabilitation comparison of patients. This paper explores the utility of magnetic resonance DTI science in evaluating the impact of postoperative patients' exercising rehabilitation. Taking stroke patients as an example, through giving patients rehabilitation training method, using magnetic resonance DTI technology, the motor function rehabilitation of patients was evaluated, and FA changes of the affected side and healthy side and Fugl–Meyer score of two groups of patients before and after rehabilitation were observed. The software outcomes exhibit that, in the contrast of rehabilitation therapy impact of motor feature in sufferers with cerebral infarction, the use of magnetic resonance DTI technological know-how gives a foundation for clinicians to deeply apprehend the CST involvement of patients, which helps to scientifically evaluate the effect and quality of limb motor rehabilitation training of patients and provides a basis for disease treatment.

Cognitive Implications of Correlated Structural Network Changes in Schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a brain disorder characterized by diffuse, diverse, and wide-spread changes in gray matter volume (GM) and white matter structure (fractional anisotropy, FA), as well as cognitive impairments that greatly impact an individual’s quality of life. While the relationship of each of these image modalities and their links to schizophrenia status and cognitive impairment has been investigated separately, a multimodal fusion via parallel independent component analysis (pICA) affords the opportunity to explore the relationships between the changes in GM and FA, and the implications these network changes have on cognitive performance.MethodsImages from 73 subjects with schizophrenia (SZ) and 82 healthy controls (HC) were drawn from an existing dataset. We investigated 12 components from each feature (FA and GM). Loading coefficients from the images were used to identify pairs of features that were significantly correlated and showed significant group differences between HC and SZ. MANCOVA analysis uncovered the relationships the identified spatial maps had with age, gender, and a global cognitive performance score.ResultsThree component pairs showed significant group differences (HC > SZ) in both gray and white matter measurements. Two of the component pairs identified networks of gray matter that drove significant relationships with cognition (HC > SZ) after accounting for age and gender. The gray and white matter structural networks identified in these three component pairs pull broadly from many regions, including the right and left thalamus, lateral occipital cortex, multiple regions of the middle temporal gyrus, precuneus cortex, postcentral gyrus, cingulate gyrus/cingulum, lingual gyrus, and brain stem.ConclusionThe results of this multimodal analysis adds to our understanding of how the relationship between GM, FA, and cognition differs between HC and SZ by highlighting the correlated intermodal covariance of these structural networks and their differential relationships with cognitive performance. Previous unimodal research has found similar areas of GM and FA differences between these groups, and the cognitive deficits associated with SZ have been well documented. This study allowed us to evaluate the intercorrelated covariance of these structural networks and how these networks are involved the differences in cognitive performance between HC and SZ.

Metformin as a new option in the medical management of breast fibroadenoma; a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundFibroadenoma (FA) is the most common benign solid breast mass in women, with no definite method of management. Because fibroadenoma is dependent on female sex hormones and comprises hypertrophic changes at cellular levels, we investigated the effects of metformin (MF), a safe hypoglycemic agent with anti-estrogenic and anti-proliferative properties, in the management of fibroadenoma.MethodsIn this randomized clinical trial study, eligible women with fibroadenomas were assigned randomly to the metformin (1000 mg daily for six months) or the placebo group. Breast physical and ultrasound exam was performed before and after the intervention, and the changes in the size of fibroadenomas were compared in the two groups.ResultsOverall, 83 patients in the treatment, and 92 in the placebo group completed the study. A statistically significant difference in changing size between the two groups was observed only in the smallest mass. In the largest FAs, the rate of size reduction was higher in the treatment group (60.2 % vs. 43.5 %); while a higher rate of enlargement was observed in the placebo group (38 % vs. 20.5 %). In the smallest FAs, the rate of the masses that got smaller or remained stable was about 90 % in the treatment group and 50 % in the placebo group. We categorized size changes of FAs into < 20 % enlargement and ≥ 20 % enlargement. The odds ratio (OR) for an elargemnt less than 20% was 1.48 (95 % CI = 1.10–1.99) in the treatment group in comparison with the placebo group; the odds for an enlargement less than 20% was higher in women with multiples fibroadenomas (OR = 4.67, 95 % CI: 1.34–16.28). In our study, no serious adverse effect was recorded, and the medicine was well-tolerated by all users.ConclusionsThis is the first study that evaluates the effect of MF on the management of fibroadenoma, and the results suggest a favorable effect. Larger studies using higher doses of MF and including a separate design for patients with single or multiple FAs are suggested in order to confirm this effect.Trial registrationThis trial (IRCT20100706004329N7) was retrospectively registered on 2018-10-07.

Widespread Disruptions of White Matter in Familial Multiple Sclerosis: DTI and NODDI Study.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a noninvasive, quantitative MRI technique that measures white matter (WM) integrity. Many brain dimensions are heritable, including white matter integrity measured with DTI. Family studies are valuable to provide insights into the interactive effects of non-environmental factors on multiple sclerosis (MS). To examine the contribution of familial factors to the diffusion signals across WM microstructure, we performed DTI and calculated neurite orientation dispersion plus density imaging (NODDI) diffusion parameters in two patient groups comprising familial and sporadic forms of multiple sclerosis and their unaffected relatives. We divided 111 subjects (49 men and 62 women: age range 19–60) into three groups conforming to their MS history. The familial MS group included 30 participants (patients; n = 16, healthy relatives; n = 14). The sporadic group included 41 participants (patients; n = 10, healthy relatives; n = 31). Forty age-matched subjects with no history of MS in their families were defined as the control group. To study white matter integrity, two methods were employed: one for calculating the mean of DTI, FA, and MD parameters on 18 tracts using Tracts Constrained by Underlying Anatomy (TRACULA) and the other for whole brain voxel-based analysis using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) on NDI and ODI parameters derived from NODDI and DTI parameters. Voxel-based analysis showed considerable changes in FA, MD, NDI, and ODI in the familial group when compared with the control group, reflecting widespread impairment of white matter in this group. The analysis of 18 tracts with TRACULA revealed increased MD and FA reduction in more tracts (left and right ILF, UNC, and SLFT, forceps major and minor) in familial MS patients vs. the control group. There were no significant differences between the patient groups. We found no consequential changes in healthy relatives of both patient groups in voxel-based and tract analyses. Considering the multifactorial etiology of MS, familial studies are of great importance to clarify the effects of certain predisposing factors on demyelinating brain pathology.

Fractional Anisotropy in Selected, Motor-Related White Matter Tracts and Its Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations With Motor Function in Healthy Older Adults.

BackgroundWhile it is well-known that deficits in motor performance and brain structural connectivity occur in the course of healthy aging, it is still unclear if and how these changes are related to each other. While some cross-sectional studies suggest that white matter (WM) microstructure is positively associated with motor function in healthy older adults, more evidence is needed. Moreover, longitudinal data is required to estimate whether similar associations can be found between trajectories of change in WM microstructure and motor function. The current study addresses this gap by investigating age-associations and longitudinal changes in WM microstructure and motor function, and the cross-sectional (level-level) and longitudinal (level-change, change-change) association between these two domains.MethodWe used multiple-occasion data (covering 4 years) from a large sample (N = 231) of healthy older adults from the Longitudinal Healthy Aging Brain (LHAB) database. To measure WM microstructure, we used diffusion-weighted imaging data to compute mean FA in three selected WM tracts [forceps minor (FMIN); superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF); corticospinal tract (CST)]. Motor function was measured via two motor speed tests (grooved pegboard, finger tapping) and one motor strength test (grip force test), separately for the left and the right hand. The statistical analysis was conducted with longitudinal growth curve models in the structural equation modeling framework.ResultsThe results revealed longitudinal decline and negative cross-sectional age-associations for mean WM FA in the FMIN and SLF, and for motor function in all tests, with a higher vulnerability for left than right hand motor performance. Regarding cross-domain associations, we found a significant positive level-level correlation among mean WM FA in the FMIN with motor speed. Mean FA in SLF and CST was not correlated with motor performance measures, and none of the level-change or change-change associations were significant. Overall, our results (a) provide important insights into aging-related changes of fine motor abilities and FA in selected white matter tracts associated with motor control, (b) support previous cross-sectional work showing that neural control of movement in older adults also involves brain structures outside the core motor system and (c) align with the idea that, in healthy aging, compensatory mechanisms may be in place and longer time delays may be needed to reveal level-change or change-change associations.

Productivity analysis of education and research fields in universities of medical sciences: a case study of Iran

The present study aimed to assess the productivity of Urmia Medical Sciences University (UMSU) in the fields of education and research. In this descriptive-analytical study, changes in the total fa...

Bioavailability and spatial distribution of fatty acids in the rat retina after dietary omega-3 supplementation

Spatial changes of FAs in the retina in response to different dietary n-3 formulations have never been explored, although a diet rich in EPA and DHA is recommended to protect the retina against the effects of aging. In this study, Wistar rats were fed for 8 weeks with balanced diet including either EPA-containing phospholipids (PLs), EPA-containing TGs, DHA-containing PLs, or DHA-containing TGs. Qualitative changes in FA composition of plasma, erythrocytes, and retina were evaluated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Following the different dietary intakes, changes to the quantity and spatial organization of PC and PE species in retina were determined by LC coupled to MS/MS and MALDI coupled to MS imaging. The omega-3 content in the lipids of plasma and erythrocytes suggests that PLs as well as TGs are good omega-3 carriers for retina. However, a significant increase in DHA content in retina was observed, especially molecular species as di-DHA-containing PC and PE, as well as an increase in very long chain PUFAs (more than 28 carbons) following PL-EPA and TG-DHA diets only. All supplemented diets triggered spatial organization changes of DHA in the photoreceptor layer around the optic nerve. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary omega-3 supplementation can modify the content of FAs in the rat retina.

Diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance detects altered myocardial microstructure in patients with acute st-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Diffusion Tensor Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (DT-CMR) can quantify metrics of tissue integrity (mean diffusivity [MD] and fractional anisotropy [FA]) and changes in laminar microstructures (sheetlets), which reorientate from more wall-parallel in diastole (DIA) towards wall-perpendicular in systole (SYS) as the myocardium thickens, quantified by E2 angle [E2A]. Microstructural changes after STEMI may provide new insights into adverse LV remodelling and risk stratification. Methods In vivo DT-CMR was performed 3–5 days after PPCI for first presentation STEMI (N=19, mean age 57±9, 79% male). DT-CMR was acquired in 2 short-axes (SYS &amp; DIA) using a STEAM-EPI sequence. 12 segment analysis of MD, FA, E2A and E2A mobility (ΔE2A = E2ASYS − E2ADIA) was performed. Infarct (INF) segments were defined as &amp;gt;25% LGE, adjacent (ADJ, located contiguous to INF) and remote (REM, all other segments). Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used with threshold P&amp;lt;0.017 (Bonferroni corrected). Results See Table. MD in both SYS and DIA was significantly higher in INF and ADJ regions compared to REM. FA in both SYS and DIA was lower in the INF and ADJ compared to REM. E2ADIA was higher in INF, indicating a more wall-perpendicular orientation of sheetlets, compared to ADJ and REM zones. E2ASYS in INF was significantly reduced, indicating a more wall-parallel orientation of sheetlets, compared to ADJ and REM regions, resulting in significantly reduced sheetlet mobility (ΔE2A). Conclusions Microstructural changes can be detected after acute STEMI by in vivo DT-CMR. Zonal changes in MD and FA may suggest loss of barriers to water diffusion and altered cardiomyocyte organisation, respectively. We provide the first report of reduced sheetlet mobility after acute STEMI in INF. Ongoing work is evaluating the mechanisms and prognostic importance of altered sheetlet mobility after STEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation Clinical Research Training Fellowship