Cortical Thickness Research Articles

Association of birth weight with neuropsychological functioning in early adolescence: A retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the neuropsychological function in early adolescence between children born small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) and those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). MethodsThis retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study in 2016–18. Children born of singleton pregnancy with complete information of birth weight and delivery week were enrolled. Their neuropsychological functioning were assessed by the brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), combined with cognitive and behavioral measurements. Linear mixed-effects models and subgroup analyses were performed. ResultsAmong 5,922 children aged 9–11, children born SGA and LGA demonstrated similar cognitive and behavioral performances as children born AGA (P > 0.05). In the MRI measurement, brain area and volume were lower among SGA children compared to AGA children (t=-5.626, Cohen's d = 0.448, P < 0.001; t=-6.071, Cohen's d = 0.427, P < 0.001); brain area and volume were higher among LGA children compared to AGA children (t = 8.562, Cohen's d = 0.470, P < 0.001; t = 8.562, Cohen's d = 0.470, P < 0.001). Cortical thickness was of no statistical difference (P > 0.05). These associations were confirmed by sensitivity analyses and propensity score matching. ConclusionChildren born of SGA and LGA status were associated with altered brain area and volume structure in early adolescence.

Causal relationships between height and weight with distal tibia microarchitecture and geometry in adult female twin pairs.

Higher stature and lower weight are associated with increased risk of fracture. However, the pathophysiology for the associations of height and weight with bone microarchitecture and geometry is unclear. We examined whether these associations were consistent with causation and/or with shared familial factors. In this cross-sectional study of 566 female twins aged 26-76yr, a regression analysis for twin data, Inference about Causation by Examination of FAmilial CONfounding (ICE FALCON), was used for testing causation. The bone microarchitecture and geometry of the distal tibia was assessed using HR-pQCT and the StrAx1.0 software. Higher stature was associated with larger total bone cross-sectional area (CSA), lower total bone volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), larger cortical CSA, thinner cortices, higher porosity of the total cortex, compact cortex, outer and inner transitional zone (TZ), lower cortical vBMD, and larger medullary CSA (regression coefficients (β) ranging from -.37 to .60, all p<.05). Using ICE FALCON, the cross-pair cross-trait associations attenuated toward zero after adjusting for the within-individual association (absolute values of β ranging from .05 to .31, all p<.001). Higher weight was associated with higher total bone vBMD, larger cortical CSA and thicker cortices, lower porosity of the total cortex and inner TZ, and higher cortical vBMD (β ranging from -.23 to .34, all p<.001), and thinner trabeculae, higher trabecular number, lower trabecular separation, and higher trabecular vBMD (β ranging from -.31 to .39, all p<.05). Only cortical CSA attenuated toward zero after adjusting for the within-individual association between weight and bone microarchitecture (β = .042, p=.046). Higher stature was associated with a weaker cortical, not trabecular bone traits, whereas higher weight was associated with stronger cortical and trabecular bone traits. The results were consistent with height having a causal effect on weaker cortical bone structure, whereas weight had a casual effect on the larger cortical CSA.

Microscopic Characteristics of Peri- and Postmortem Fracture Surfaces

This study investigated if microscopic surface features captured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) effectively discriminate fracture timing. We hypothesized that microscopic fracture characteristics, including delamination, osteon pullout, and microcracks, may vary as bone elasticity decreases, elucidating perimortem and postmortem events more reliably than macroscopic analyses. Thirty-seven unembalmed, defleshed human femoral shafts from males (n=18) and females (n=2) aged 33 to 81 years were fractured at experimentally simulated postmortem intervals (PMIs) ranging from 1 to 60 warm weather days (250 - 40,600 ADH). A gravity convection oven was used to approximate tissue decomposition at 37C and 27C, and the resulting heat-time unit (accumulated degree hours, or ADH) was used to examine fractures in elastic/wet versus brittle/dry bone. The bones were fractured with a drop test frame using a three-point bending setup, sensors were used to calculate fracture energy, and high-speed photography documented fracture events. The following data were collected to relate fracture appearance to the biomechanical properties of bone: PMI (postmortem interval) length in ADH, temperature, humidity, collagen percentage, water loss, bone mineral density, cortical bone thickness, fracture energy, age, sex, cause of death, and microscopic fracture feature scores. SEM micrographs were collected from the primary tension zones of each fracture surface, and three microscopic fracture characteristics were scored from a region of interest in the center of the tension zone: percentage of delaminated osteons, percent osteon pullout, and number of microcracks. Multiple linear regression showed that microscopic fracture surface features are strong predictors of ADH (adjusted R-squared=0.67 for the 0 – 40,000 ADH samples; adjusted R-squared=0.92 for the 0-16,000 ADH samples). Osteon pullout is the single best predictor of ADH. Additionally, water loss is the primary driver of bone elasticity changes in low ADH samples, while collagen fibers appear to remain intact until later in the postmortem interval (approximately 40,000 ADH in this study). The results of this study indicate microscopic fracture surface analysis detects the biomechanical effects of decreased elasticity more reliably and with greater sensitivity than macroscopic analysis.

Developing long bones respond to surrounding tissues by trans-pairing of periosteal osteoclasts and endocortical osteoblasts.

Developing long bones alter their shape while maintaining uniform cortical thickness via coordinated activity of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts at periosteal and endosteal surfaces, a process we designate trans-pairing. Two types of trans-pairing shift cortical bone in opposite orientations: peri-forming trans-pairing (peri-t-p) increases bone marrow space and endo-forming trans-pairing (endo-t-p) decreases it, via paired activity of bone resorption and formation across the cortex. Here, we focused on endo-t-p in growing bones. Analysis of endo-t-p activity in the cortex of mouse fibulae revealed osteoclasts under the periosteum compressed by muscles, and expression of RANKL in periosteal cells of the cambium layer. Furthermore, mature osteoblasts were localized on the endosteum, while preosteoblasts were at the periosteum and within cortical canals. X-ray tomographic microscopy revealed the presence of cortical canals more closely associated with endo- than with peri-t-p. Sciatic nerve transection followed by muscle atrophy and unloading induced circumferential endo-t-p with concomitant spread of cortical canals. Such canals likely supply the endosteum with preosteoblasts from the periosteum under endo-t-p, allowing bone shape to change in response to mechanical stress or nerve injury.

Dataset factors associated with age-related changes in brain structure and function in neurodevelopmental conditions.

With brain structure and function undergoing complex changes throughout childhood and adolescence, age is a critical consideration in neuroimaging studies, particularly for those of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. However, despite the increasing use of large, consortium-based datasets to examine brain structure and function in neurotypical and neurodivergent populations, it is unclear whether age-related changes are consistent between datasets and whether inconsistencies related to differences in sample characteristics, such as demographics and phenotypic features, exist. To address this, we built models of age-related changes of brain structure (regional cortical thickness and regional surface area; N = 1218) and function (resting-state functional connectivity strength; N = 1254) in two neurodiverse datasets: the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Network and the Healthy Brain Network. We examined whether deviations from these models differed between the datasets, and explored whether these deviations were associated with demographic and clinical variables. We found significant differences between the two datasets for measures of cortical surface area and functional connectivity strength throughout the brain. For regional measures of cortical surface area, the patterns of differences were associated with race/ethnicity, while for functional connectivity strength, positive associations were observed with head motion. Our findings highlight that patterns of age-related changes in the brain may be influenced by demographic and phenotypic characteristics, and thus future studies should consider these when examining or controlling for age effects in analyses.

Cells and molecules underpinning cannabis-related variations in cortical thickness during adolescence.

During adolescence, cannabis experimentation is common, and its association with inter-individual variations in brain maturation well studied. Cellular and molecular underpinnings of these system-level relationships are, however, unclear. We thus conducted a three-step study. First, we exposed adolescent male mice to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or a synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) and assessed differentially expressed genes (DEGs), spine numbers and dendritic complexity in their frontal cortex. Second, in human (male) adolescents, we examined group differences in cortical thickness in 34 brain regions, using magnetic resonance imaging, between those who experimented with cannabis before age 16 (n=140) and those who did not (n=327). Finally, we correlated spatially these group differences with gene expression of human homologs of the mouse-identified DEGs. The spatial expression of 13 THC-related human homologs of DEGs correlated with cannabis-related variations in cortical thickness, and virtual histology revealed co-expression patterns of these 13 genes with cell-specific markers of astrocytes, microglia and a type of pyramidal cells enriched in dendrite-regulating genes. Similarly, the spatial expression of 18 WIN-related human homologs of DEGs correlated with group differences in cortical thickness, and showed co-expression patterns with the same three cell types. Gene ontology analysis indicated that 37 THC-related human homologs are enriched in neuron-projection development, while 33 WIN-related homologs are enriched in processes associated with learning and memory. In mice, we observed spine loss and lower dendritic complexity in pyramidal cells of THC-exposed animals (vs. controls). Experimentation with cannabis during adolescence may influence cortical thickness by impacting glutamatergic synapses and dendritic arborization.Significance Statement Cells and molecular underpinning of cannabis-related variations in cortical thickness observed in adolescents are poorly understood. We assessed differences in gene expression in the frontal cortex of adolescent mice exposed (or not) to Δ-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC) or WIN 55,212-2 (WIN). THC preferentially targeted glial cells, while WIN affected pyramidal neurons; both modified nuclear-coded subunits in mitochondrial respiratory complexes and excitatory synapse genes. In humans, we evaluated a spatial correlation between group differences in cortical thickness and the expression of human homologs of the cannabinoid-sensitive genes in mice. These genes co-expressed with those specific to astrocytes, microglia and a type of pyramidal cells enriched in dendrite-regulating genes. Experimentation with cannabis during adolescence may influence cortical thickness via synaptic processes and dendritic arborization.

Longitudinal mapping of cortical change during early adolescence associated with prenatal tobacco and/or alcohol exposure in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

The effects of prenatal alcohol (PAE) and tobacco exposure (PTE) on adolescent neuroanatomical development are typically evaluated cross-sectionally. It is unclear if observed effects persist throughout life or reflect different developmental trajectories. To determine how PAE and PTE are associated with cortical structure and development across two timepoints in early adolescence. Observational, longitudinal analyses of data within the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. 21 study sites in the United States. 5,417 youth participants, aged ~9-12 years old. PAE and PTE based on caregiver (self) reports of alcohol/tobacco use during pregnancy, before and after pregnancy recognition. Cortical thickness (mm) and cortical surface area (mm2) measured approximately 2 years apart in early adolescence, across 68 bilateral cortical regions. At baseline data collection, youth participants were ~9.9 years old (SD=0.6). At the second neuroimaging appointment, youth participants were ~11.9 years old (SD=0.6). When modelling cortical thickness, we controlled for individuals' whole-brain volume; when modelling cortical surface area, individuals' total surface area. Cortical thickness generally declined with age. Cortical surface area either expanded or contracted with age, depending on region. PAE had minimal effects on cortical structure (main effects) and development (PAE×Age interactions). PTE had robust effects on cortical thickness and was associated with faster rates of cortical thinning in several regions within the frontal lobe. Post hoc analyses on (1) the effects of PTE for those who continued tobacco use after pregnancy recognition and (2) the effects of PTE in those who did not also use alcohol revealed weaker effects. PTE had robust effects on neuroanatomical structure and longitudinal development, particularly cortical thickness. Analyzing developmental cortical trajectories informs how PTE and/or PAE not only affects cortical structure but how it develops long after those prenatal exposures occurred. Future analyses involving cotinine biomarkers of PTE would enhance the temporal resolution of the ABCD Study®'s PTE-related queries of tobacco use before and after learning of the pregnancy.

Brain Charts for the Rhesus Macaque Lifespan.

Recent efforts to chart human brain growth across the lifespan using large-scale MRI data have provided reference standards for human brain development. However, similar models for nonhuman primate (NHP) growth are lacking. The rhesus macaque, a widely used NHP in translational neuroscience due to its similarities in brain anatomy, phylogenetics, cognitive, and social behaviors to humans, serves as an ideal NHP model. This study aimed to create normative growth charts for brain structure across the macaque lifespan, enhancing our understanding of neurodevelopment and aging, and facilitating cross-species translational research. Leveraging data from the PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) and other sources, we aggregated 1,522 MRI scans from 1,024 rhesus macaques. We mapped non-linear developmental trajectories for global and regional brain structural changes in volume, cortical thickness, and surface area over the lifespan. Our findings provided normative charts with centile scores for macaque brain structures and revealed key developmental milestones from prenatal stages to aging, highlighting both species-specific and comparable brain maturation patterns between macaques and humans. The charts offer a valuable resource for future NHP studies, particularly those with small sample sizes. Furthermore, the interactive open resource (https://interspeciesmap.childmind.org) supports cross-species comparisons to advance translational neuroscience research.

Neural correlates of anhedonia in young adults with subthreshold depression: A graph theory approach for cortical-subcortical structural covariance

BackgroundAnhedonia is an enduring symptom of subthreshold depression (StD) and predict later onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). Brain structural covariance describes the inter-regional distribution of morphological changes compared to healthy controls (HC) and reflects brain maturation and disease progression. We investigated neural correlates of anhedonia from the structural covariance. MethodsT1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images were acquired from 79 young adults (26 StD, 30 MDD, and 23 HC). Intra-individual structural covariance networks of 68 cortical surface area (CSAs), 68 cortical thicknesses (CTs), and 14 subcortical volumes were constructed. Group-level hubs and principal edges were defined using the global and regional graph metrics, compared between groups, and examined for the association with anhedonia severity. ResultsGlobal network metrics were comparable among the StD, MDD, and HC. StD exhibited lower centralities of left pallidal volume than HC. StD showed higher centralities than HC in the CSAs of right rostral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and pars triangularis, and in the CT of left pars orbitalis. Less anhedonia was associated with higher centralities of left pallidum and right amygdala, higher edge betweenness centralities in the structural covariance (EBSC) of left postcentral gyrus-parahippocampal gyrus and LIPL-right amygdala. More anhedonia was associated with higher centralities of left inferior parietal lobule (LIPL), left postcentral gyrus, left caudal ACC, and higher EBSC of LIPL-left postcentral gyrus, LIPL-right lateral occipital gyrus, and left caudal ACC-parahippocampal gyrus. LimitationsThis study has a cross-sectional design. ConclusionsStructural covariance of brain morphologies within the salience and limbic networks, and among the salience-limbic-default mode-somatomotor-visual networks, are possible neural correlates of anhedonia in depression.

Altered structural node of default mode network mediated general cognitive ability in young adults with obesity

BackgroundObesity, characterized by excessive adiposity, is associated with brain structural abnormalities. Nevertheless, the relationships between altered structural nodes of default mode network (DMN), body mass index (BMI), general cognitive ability remained unclear in young adults. MethodsIn this study, we divided a large sample of young adults into three BMI-based groups. We then conducted one-way analyses of variance and post-hoc tests with Bonferroni corrections to investigate abnormal structural brain regions associated with obesity. Furthermore, mediation effects models were built to explore whether the structural alterations influenced the relationship between BMI and general cognitive ability. ResultsCompared to their lean and overweight counterparts, young adults with obesity exhibited significantly lower general cognitive ability, higher impulsivity traits, and worse sleep quality. Furthermore, compared with lean group, young adults with obesity exhibited altered cortical thickness of both the left temporal pole and right superior parietal lobule, and abnormal cortical surface area (CSA) of the left entorhinal cortex (EC), a hub within DMN. Moreover, CSA of the left EC mediated the relationship between BMI and general cognitive ability. ConclusionObesity was linked to altered structural node of DMN, which mediated general cognitive ability in young adults. These findings indicated the negative effect of obesity on DMN and general cognitive ability in young adults.

Blood-derived microRNAs are related to cognitive domains in the general population.

Blood-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential candidates for detecting and preventing subclinical cognitive dysfunction. However, replication of previous findings and identification of novel miRNAs associated with cognitive domains, including their relation to brain structure and the pathways they regulate, are still lacking. We examined blood-derived miRNAs and miRNA co-expression clusters in relation to cognitive domains, structural magnetic resonance imaging measures, target gene expression, and genetic variants in 2869 participants of a population-based cohort. Five previously identified and 14 novel miRNAs were associated with cognitive domains. Eleven of these were also associated with cortical thickness and two with hippocampal volume. Multi-omics analysis showed that certain identified miRNAs were genetically influenced and regulated genes in pathways like neurogenesis and synapse assembly. We identified miRNAs associated with cognitive domains, brain regions, and neuronal processes affected by aging and neurodegeneration, making them promising candidate blood-based biomarkers or therapeutic targets of subclinical cognitive dysfunction. We investigated the association of blood-derived microRNAs with cognitive domains. Five previously identified and 14 novel microRNAs were associated with cognition. Eleven cognition-related microRNAs were also associated with cortical thickness. Identified microRNAs were linked to genes associated with neuronal functions. Results provide putative biomarkers or therapeutic targets of cognitive aging.

Cortical microstructure and hemispheric specialization-A diffusion-imaging analysis in younger and older adults.

Characterizing cortical plasticity becomes increasingly important for identifying compensatory mechanisms and structural reserve in the ageing population. While cortical thickness (CT) largely contributed to systems neuroscience, it incompletely informs about the underlying neuroplastic pathophysiology. In turn, microstructural characteristics may correspond to atrophy mechanisms in a more sensitive way. Fractional anisotropy, a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measure, is inversely related to cortical histologic complexity. Axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity are assumed to be linked to the density of structures oriented perpendicular and parallel to the cortical surface, respectively. We hypothesized (1) that cortical DTI will reveal microstructural correlates for hemispheric specialization, particularly in the language and motor systems, and (2) that lateralization of cortical DTI parameters will show an age effect, paralleling age-related changes in activation, especially in the prefrontal cortex. We analysed data from healthy younger and older adult participants (N = 91). DTI and CT data were extracted from regions of the Destrieux atlas. Diffusion measures showed lateralization in specialized motor, language, visual, auditory and inferior parietal cortices. Age-dependent increased lateralization for DTI measures was observed in the prefrontal, angular, superior temporal and lateral occipital cortex. CT did not show any age-dependent alterations in lateralization. Our observations argue that cortical DTI can capture microstructural properties associated with functional specialization, resembling findings from histology. Age effects on diffusion measures in the integrative prefrontal and parietal areas may shed novel light on the atrophy-related plasticity in healthy ageing.

Advantages of customization of osseointegrated implants in transfemoral amputees: a comparative analysis of surgical planning

BackgroundCommercially available osseointegrated devices for transfemoral amputees are limited in size and thus fail to meet the significant anatomical variability in the femoral medullary canal. This study aimed to develop a customized osseointegrated stem to better accommodate a variety of femoral anatomies in transfemoral amputees than off-the-shelf stems. Customization is expected to enhance cortical bone preservation and increase the stem-bone contact area, which are critical for the long-term stability and success of implants.MethodsA customized stem (OsteoCustom) was designed based on the statistical shape variability of the medullary canal. The implantability of the OsteoCustom stem was tested via 70 computed tomography (CT) images of human femurs and compared to that of a commercial device (OFI-C) for two different resection levels. The evaluations included the volume of cortical bone removed and the percentage of stem-bone contact area for both resection levels. Statistical significance was analyzed using paired and unpaired t tests.ResultsThe OsteoCustom stem could be virtually implanted in all 70 femurs, while the OFI-C was unsuitable in 19 cases due to insufficient cortical thickness after implantation, further emphasizing its adaptability to varying anatomical conditions. The OsteoCustom stem preserved a greater volume of cortical bone than did the OFI-C. In fact, 42% less bone was removed at the proximal resection level (3.15 cm³ vs. 5.42 cm³, p ≤ 0.0001), and 33% less at the distal resection level (2.25 cm³ vs. 3.39 cm³, p = 0.003). The stem-bone contact area was also greater for the OsteoCustom stem, particularly at the distal resection level, showing a 20% increase in contact area (52.3% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.002) compared to that of the OFI-C.ConclusionsThe OsteoCustom stem performed better than the commercial stem by preserving more cortical bone and achieving a greater stem–bone contact area, especially at distal resection levels where the shape of the medullary canal exhibits more inter-subject variability. Optimal fit in the distal region is of paramount importance for ensuring the stability of osseointegrated implants. This study highlights the potential benefits of customized osseointegrated stems in accommodating a broader range of femoral anatomies, with enhanced fit in the medullary canal.

Secondary analysis reveals gut microbiota differences in patients with Parkinson’s disease and/or cognitive impairment

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, and the main clinical characteristics are bradykinesia and muscle stiffness. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent non-motor manifestation observed in individuals with PD. According to disease severity, it can be divided into PD with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and PD dementia. CI in PD patients may precede motor symptoms, and the gut microbiota plays an important role in PD pathogenesis. Therefore, gut microbiota may be one of the diagnostic targets for PD-CI. Methods: This study compared the gut microbiota of 43 PD-CI patients [Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score &lt; 26] and 38 PD patients without CI (MoCA ≥ 26). Patients’ neuropsychological conditions, depression scale, and brain structure scanned by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also recorded. The fecal metagenomic datasets of patients with PD, PD-CI, and CI only were retrieved from public databases for reanalysis to explore the relationship between PD, CI, and gut microbiota. Results: We found that the cortical thickness and the volume of the hippocampus, gray matter, and thalamus were significantly reduced among patients with PD-CI compared to PD without CI (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the gut microbiome in patients with PD-CI had fewer short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria and more pathogenic bacteria. There were also alterations in patterns of metabolic pathway-encoding genes. Additionally, PD affected gut microbiota more than CI. Conclusion: CI may aggravate the severity of PD, but it did not drastically alter subjects’ gut microbiota. This study reveals the relationship between gut microbiota, PD, and CI.

How fiber bundle alterations differ in presumed LATE and amnestic Alzheimer's disease.

Typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and limbic-predominant age-related TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) encephalopathy (LATE) are two neurodegenerative diseases that present with a similar initial amnestic clinical phenotype but are associated with distinct proteinopathies. We investigated white matter (WM) fiber bundle alterations, using fixel-based analysis, a state-of-the-art diffusion magnetic resonance imaging model, in early AD, presumed LATE, and controls. We also investigated regional cortical atrophy. Both amnestic AD and presumed LATE patients exhibited WM alterations in tracts of the temporal and limbic lobes and in callosal fibers connecting superior frontal gyri. In addition, presumed LATE patients showed alterations in callosal fibers connecting the middle frontal gyri and in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical tract. Cortical thickness was reduced in regions connected by the most altered tracts. These findings, the first to describe WM fiber bundle alterations in presumed LATE, are consistent with results on cortical atrophy and with the staging system of tau or TDP-43 accumulation. Fixel-based analysis revealed white matter (WM) fiber bundle alterations in presumed limbic-predominant age-related TAR DNA-binding protein 43 encephalopathy (LATE) patients identified by isolated episodic/limbic amnesia, the absence of positive Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers, and no other neurological diagnosis after 2 years of follow-up. Presumed LATE and amnestic AD shared similar patterns of WM alterations in fiber bundles of the limbic and temporal lobes, in congruence with their similar limbic cognitive phenotype. Presumed LATE differed from AD by the alteration of the callosal fibers connecting the middle frontal gyri and of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical tract. WM fiber bundle alterations were consistent with results on regional cortical atrophy. The different anatomical patterns of WM degeneration could provide information on the propagation pathways of distinct proteinopathies.

The moderating role of information processing speed in the relationship between brain remodeling and episodic memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

The role of information processing speed (IPS) on relationships between episodic memory (EM) and central remodeling features in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) was investigated. Neuropsychological evaluations and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging were performed on 48 patients diagnosed with aMCI and 50 healthy controls (HC). Moderation models explored the moderating effect of IPS on associations between EM and imaging features at single-region, connectivity, and network levels. IPS significantly enhanced the positive correlations between recall and cortical thickness of left inferior temporal gyrus. IPS also notably amplified negative correlations between recognition and functional connectivity (FC) of left inferior parietal lobe and right occipital, as well as between recall/recognition and nodal clustering coefficient of left anterior cingulate cortex. IPS functioned as a moderator of associations between recall and neuroimaging metrics at the "single region-connectivity-network" level, providing new insights for cognitive rehabilitation in aMCI patients. aMCI patients exhibited brain functional and structural remodeling alterations. IPS moderated relations between episodic memory and brain remodeling metrics. Therapy targeted at IPS can be considered for improving episodic memory in aMCI.

Genotype and environmental interactions determine the root digging time and essential oil production in vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)

Thirty different vetiver genotypes were grown for evaluation in the experiments at CSIR- Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, U.P. 226015, India, to assess the impact of genotype × environment interactions (GEI) on essential oil yield and chemical composition in vetiver lines grown in north India, as well as identifying appropriate genotypes and representative root digging times throughout the year for essential oil production. The interplay of genotype and environment is a significant constraint in crop development. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant effects for genotype (G), environment (E), and genotype × environment (GE) (p < 0.01). The primary root transverse section confirmed the changes in cortical sclerenchyma thickness and variety observed in the dug-out roots from different vetiver genotypes after six and twelve months. The quantity and number of sclerenchyma rows in the peripheral cortical region vary throughout vetiver genotypes. Following root digging, one component (Khusol content) had 40 %, while Khusilal content had 20 % for genotype VTR-23. However, after twelve months, Khusol content had 19 %, whereas Khusilal content had 41 %. The shift in essential oil makeup was apparent. The level of essential oil did not alter considerably. Based on the GGE biplot analysis, VTR-1, 11, and 14 were identified as the most stable genotypes with high essential yields; therefore, it is recommended to use these genotypes in India's enormous agriculture.

The added value of superb microvascular imaging for renal cortical thickness measurement in chronic kidney disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate renal parenchymal thickness and renal cortical thickness measurements on brightness mode ultrasound (B-mode US) and B-mode US + Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI) technique, comparing with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serving as a reference standard. Renal parenchymal thickness and renal cortical thickness measurements were obtained from B-mode US, B-mode US + SMI, and CT/MRI in a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The mean differences and correlations of renal parenchymal thickness and renal cortical thickness were analyzed using dependent pair t-test and Pearson's correlation, respectively. The mean difference in renal cortical thickness measurements between B-mode US + SMI and CT/MRI was lower than the mean difference between B-mode US alone and CT/MRI. Additionally, renal cortical thickness measured using B-mode US + SMI showed a stronger correlation with values obtained from CT/MRI than values measured using standard B-mode US alone. The measurement of renal cortical thickness by B-mode US + SMI is more accurate than that by B-mode US alone.

Deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in mice differentially affects bone properties under different genomic backgrounds

When IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1rn) is knocked out, mice have shown strain background dependent and major QTL regulated susceptibility to spontaneously inflammatory arthritis disease (SAD). The impact on bone properties resulting from the interactions of IL-1rn, genomic background strains, and the QTL locus, is unknown. Bone properties in the four specifically bred mouse strains with mutation of IL-1rn and variations in genomic components were investigated with high-resolution MicroCT and genomic analytical tools. Two congenic mouse strains were also measured to evaluate the influence on bone properties by a QTL in the region in chromosome 1. Our results reveal that several bone phenotypes, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume, tibial length, and cortical thickness of the tibia are different between wild type and IL-1rn knockout mice in both Balb/c and DBA/1 backgrounds, but IL-1rn knockout affects BMD differently between the two mouse strains. The absence of IL-1rn decreases BMD in Balb/c mice but increases BMD in DBA/1−/− mice compared to their respective wild type counterparts. A QTL transferred from the Balb/c genetic background which affects arthritis in congenic strains appears to also regulate BMD. While several genes, including Ctsg and Prg2, may affect BMD, Ifi202b is the most favored candidate gene for regulating BMD as well as SAD. In conclusion, the previously mentioned bone phenotypes are each influenced in different ways by the loss of IL-1ra when considered in mice from varying genomic backgrounds.

Investigation of the protective role of Ginkgo biloba L. against phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage induced by Trifloxystrobin

Trifloxystrobin (TFS) is a widely used strobilurin class fungicide. Ginkgo biloba L. has gained popularity due to its recognized medicinal and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ginkgo biloba L. extract (Gbex) has a protective role against TFS-induced phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage in A. cepa. Different groups were formed from Allium cepa L. bulbs subjected to tap water (control), 200 mg/L Gbex (Gbex1), 400 mg/L Gbex (Gbex2), 0.8 g/L TFS solution (TFS), 200 mg/L Gbex + 0.8 g/L TFS (TFS + Gbex1) and 400 mg/L Gbex + 0.8 g/L TFS (TFS + Gbex2), respectively. The phenolic composition of Gbex and alterations in the morphological, physiological, biochemical, genotoxicity and anatomical parameters were evaluated. Rutin, protocatechuic acid, catechin, gallic acid, taxifolin, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, syringic acid and quercetin were the most prevalent phenolic substances in Gbex. Rooting percentage, root elongation, weight gain, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b decreased by approximately 50%, 85%, 77%, 55% and 70%, respectively, as a result of TFS treatment compared to the control. In the TFS group, the mitotic index fell by 28% compared to the control group, but chromosomal abnormalities, micronuclei frequency and tail DNA percentage increased. Fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, uneven chromatin distribution, bridge, vacuole-containing nucleus, reverse polarization and irregular mitosis were the chromosomal abnormalities observed in the TFS group. The levels of proline (2.17-fold) and malondialdehyde (2.71-fold), as well as the activities of catalase (2.75-fold) and superoxide dismutase (2.03-fold) were increased by TFS in comparison to the control. TFS-provoked meristematic disorders were damaged epidermis and cortex cells, flattened cell nucleus and thickened cortex cell wall. Gbex combined with TFS relieved all these TFS-induced stress signs in a dose-dependent manner. This investigation showed that Gbex can play protective role in A. cepa against the phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by TFS. The results demonstrated that Gbex had this antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential owing to its high phenolic content.