Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies of Neurodegenerative Disease: From Methods to Translational Research / 神经科学通报·英文版

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have become a significant threat to an aging human society. Numerous studies have been conducted in the past decades to clarify their pathologic mechanisms and search for reliable biomarkers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for investigating structural and functional brain alterations in NDs. With the advantages of being non-invasive and non-radioactive, it has been frequently used in both animal research and large-scale clinical investigations. MRI may serve as a bridge connecting micro- and macro-level analysis and promoting bench-to-bed translational research. Nevertheless, due to the abundance and complexity of MRI techniques, exploiting their potential is not always straightforward. This review aims to briefly introduce research progress in clinical imaging studies and discuss possible strategies for applying MRI in translational ND research.

The effect of adult growth hormone deficiency on cognitive function / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of adult growth hormone deficiency on cognitive function in adults.Methods:A total of 19 hypophyseal or craniopharyngioma patients who underwent surgical treatment and were diagnosed with adult growth hormone deficiency in Department of Endocrinolog, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University from June 2017 to June 2018 were selected as the case group, and 19 normal people were included as the control group. All the members were assessed with the cognitive function scale and brain functional magnetic resonance examination, data between the groups were analyzed.Results:The body weight within a year of case group was significantly increased than that of the control group( P=0.017). Compared with the control group, the case group was relatively inattentive and had decreased memory(Time of stroop color words test-a, test-c, and trail-making test-A, P values were 0.009, 0.018, 0.020 respectively; Auditory word learning test N6, P=0.008). The executive function and language ability of the case group were weakened compared with the control group(Raven′s matrices score E1-E12, P=0.022; Time cost and the number of arrivals in 1 min of connection test B, P values were 0.023, 0.004; Symbol digit modalities test, P=0.037; The number of words spoken in 46-60 s and total number in 0-60 s of the case group was less than the control, P values were 0.030, 0.006). The general mental state of the case group was worse than the control group( P=0.018). The accuracy of the 2-back task of the case group was significantly lower and the activation signal of the left frontal lobe in the case group was significantly weaker( P<0.005). Conclusions:Adult growth hormone deficiency may increase obesity risk and have a detrimental influence on patients′ overall mental health, resulting in varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Working memory impairments associated with adult growth hormone deficiency may be a result of decreased frontal lobe brain activity.

Progress in diagnosis of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in children / 中国小儿急救医学

Acute kidney injury(AKI)is a very common critical disease worldwide, especially in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU). There are many pathogenic factors for AKI, among which sepsis is essential to the development of AKI.Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI) often have sudden onset and poor prognosis.Because there is still a lack of powerful diagnostic tools, resulting in clinical intervention in SA-AKI often lags behind.Therefore, awareness of SA-AKI risk and early identification of injury severity, as well as timely initiation of supportive treatment, remain the main contents of current research.There are hundreds of new biological markers and diagnostic tools for early identification and prognosis of AKI.This review introduced the progress on diagnosis of SA-AKI.The aim is to improve clinicians′ understanding of SA-AKI.

Correlation of cardiovascular risk factors with brain iron deposition: A magnetic resonance imaging study / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of common cardiovascular risk factors with brain iron deposition. METHODS: Eighty-four elderly subjects without neurological diseases or brain trauma were included in the study. The cardiovascular risk factors were comprehensively assessed. MRI examination was performed to obtain high-resolution T1-weighted images and enhanced susceptibility weighted angiography (ESWAN) images, and R2* figure was obtained by post-processing the ESWAN sequence. High definition T1 images were segmented using computer segmentation technique. After registration to the ESWAN image, R2* values of each region of interest were extracted. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship of R2* values in each area of interest with gender, age and vascular risk factors. RESULTS Smoking was associated with increased R2* values in the hippocampus, white matter and cortex (β=0.244, 0.317, 0.277, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Hypertension was correlated with the increase of R2* in the putamen (β=0.241, P=0.027). Hyperglycemia was associated with the increase of R2* in the thalamus (β=0.234, P<0.05). In the thalamus, the R2* value of males was higher than that of females (β=0.320, P<0.05). Age was correlated with the R2* values of thalamus, caudate nucleus, pallidus, white matter and cortex (β=-0.218、-0.254、0.216、-0.280 and -0.238, P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Common cardiovascular risk factors may lead to iron deposition in the brain, and the deposition patterns vary with the gender, age and different risk factors.

Study on the readiness for hospital discharge and its influencing factors among the day surgery patients of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To understand the readiness for hospital discharge of the day surgery patients of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and analyze its influencing factors.@*Methods@#A total of 129 children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome during the day surgery were investigated with a general data questionnaire and an adapted discharge preparation metric.@*Results@#The total score of the readiness for hospital discharge was 166.38±30.93. The scores of discharge in all dimensions from high to low were adaptive ability 8.35±1.80, expected support 8.17±1.70, knowledge status 7.35±2.10, and personal status 7.10±1.43. Multiple linear regression results showed that the difficulty of caring for children from parents had a significant effect on the readiness of children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during day surgery (P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#The discharge readiness of children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome during day surgery was at the upper-middle level, but their personal status was not good. Medical and nursing staff should pay attention to health guidance for parents of children with disease-related knowledge, do a good job of interpretation before discharge, help parents increase their confidence in caring for children after discharge, improve the level of preparation for discharge, and ensure the safety of children after discharge.

Study on the readiness for hospital discharge and its influencing factors among the day surgery patients of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To understand the readiness for hospital discharge of the day surgery patients of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and analyze its influencing factors. Methods A total of 129 children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome during the day surgery were investigated with a general data questionnaire and an adapted discharge preparation metric. Results The total score of the readiness for hospital discharge was 166.38±30.93. The scores of discharge in all dimensions from high to low were adaptive ability 8.35 ± 1.80, expected support 8.17 ± 1.70, knowledge status 7.35 ± 2.10, and personal status 7.10 ± 1.43. Multiple linear regression results showed that the difficulty of caring for children from parents had a significant effect on the readiness of children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during day surgery (P<0.01). Conclusions The discharge readiness of children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome during day surgery was at the upper-middle level, but their personal status was not good. Medical and nursing staff should pay attention to health guidance for parents of children with disease-related knowledge, do a good job of interpretation before discharge, help parents increase their confidence in caring for children after discharge, improve the level of preparation for discharge, and ensure the safety of children after discharge.

Comparison of efficacy of induction chemotherapy plus intensi-ty-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with loco-regionally ad-vanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To compare the efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with that of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) plus adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for patients with loco-regionally advanced naso-pharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods:Data of 240 patients with loco-regionally advanced NPC were reviewed. These patients were admitted to the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2008. Among the 240 patients, 117 under-went the IC+IMRT and 123 were treated with the CCRT+AC. The IC+IMRT group received a regimen including cisplatin and 5-fluoro-uracil (5-FU). The CCRT+AC group received cisplatin concurrently with radiotherapy and subsequently received adjuvant cisplatin and 5-FU. The survival rates of the patients were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the survival curves were compared by Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, local relapse-free survival, and the nodal relapse-free survival were 78.0%versus 78.7%, 68.9%versus 67.5%, 79.0%versus 77.0%, 91.6%versus 91.0%, and 95.3%versus 93.7%in the IC+IMRT and CCRT+AC groups, respectively. The survival between the two groups exhibited no significant differences. Higher rates of Grades 3 to 4 nau-sea-vomiting (8.1%vs. 1.7%, P=0.023) and leukopenia (9.7%vs. 0.9%, P=0.006) were observed in the CCRT+AC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that N stage and age were significant prognostic factors for the OS of the patients with loco-regionally advanced NPC. Conclusion:The treatment outcomes of IC+IMRT and CCRT+AC were similar. Distant metastasis remained as the predominant mode of treatment failure.

Decreased occipital GABA concentrations in patients with first-episode major depressive disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study / 生物医学工程学杂志

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain. Alterations in GABAergic function are associated with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, noninvasive in vivo measurement of GABA is difficult because of its low concentration and the presence of overlapping resonances. To study GABA concentration in the occipital cortex in major depressive disorder (MDD), a group of medication-naive, first episode depressed patients (n = 18, HAMD > 17), and a group of healthy controls (n = 23) were investigated using a Point Resolved Spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) on a 3.0 T MR scanner. The results showed that occipital GABA levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the patient group than those in the healthy controls, yet the correlations between the severity of MDD (HAMD, BDI) and the GABA concentration is insignificant. Therefore, our data suggest that patients with first episode, unmedicated MDD have changes in cortical concentrations of GABA. This biochemical abnormality may be a marker of a trait vulnerability to mood disorder, and may explain the visual problem of severe MDD patients.

Impact of chemotherapy compliance on the therapeutic efficacy of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To evaluate the impact of chemotherapy compliance on the therapeutic efficacy of induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy alone for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Based on intention to treat analysis (ITT) for 400 patients, 314 patients were analyzed by per protocol (PP) analysis. The patients were divided into induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (IC/CCRT, 127 patients) or induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy group (IC/RT, 187 patients). The patients who completed 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy and at least 2 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy in the IC/CCRT group and the patients who completed 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy in the IC/RT group were analyzed. Radiotherapy was given by two-dimensional technique with γ-ray, X-ray and electron beams. The chemotherapy regimen was FUDR plus carboplatin for induction chemotherapy and carboplatin alone for concurrent chemotherapy. Results The follow-up rate was 96.2%. 295 patients were followed to at 3 years. Based on PP analysis, Grade 3/4 toxicity was found in 23.6% of the patients in IC/CCRT group and 13.4% in the IC/RT group (χ~2 =5,50,P=0.019). No grade 4 toxicity was found in the IC/RT group. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years, and no significant difference was found between the two groups in 3-year overall survival (78.1% : 84.6% ;χ~2 = 0. 61, P =0. 435), disease-free survival (74.3 % : 70.1% ;χ~2= 0. 12, P= 0.731), Iocoregional relapse-free survival (89.7% : 89.5% ; χ~2= 0. 10, P= 0.748), or distant metastasis-free survival (78.9%:76.5% ;χ~2=0.05,P=0.825). Conclusions With more severe toxicities, the IC/CCRT regimen does not improve the overall survival in locally advanced NPC patients compared with the IC/RT regimen.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for T3-4N0-1M0 and T1-4N2-3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma after induction chemotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for T3-4 N0-1 M0 and T14 N2-3 M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after induction chemotherapy.Methods From 2002 to 2005,400 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳa NPC were randomly divided into 2 groups :induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (IC/CCRT,201 patients),and induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy alone group (IC/RT, 199 patients).Subgroup analysis was conducted for 197 patients with stage T3-4N0-1M0 NPC and 203 with stage T1-4N2-3M0 NPC.Results The follow-up rate were 96.2%, with a median followg-up time of 3.9 years.For T3-4N0-1 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (104 patients) and IC/RT group (93 patients), the 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 84.0% and 85.9% (χ2=0.08,P =0.780) ,77.0% and 72.0% (χ2=0.44,P =0.510) ,89.5% and 92.3% (χ2=0.65 ,P = 0.420), and 84.9% and 77.0% (χ2= 1.59, P = 0.210), respectively; For T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (97 patients) and IC/RT group (106 patients), the corresponding rates were 67.4% and 82.2% (χ2=3.48,P=0.060), 61.5% and 68.0% (χ2= 1.86,P=0.170), 86.2% and 87.0% (χ2=0.57 ,P =0.450) and 66.2% and 75.6% (χ2=2.07 ,P =0.150), respectively.Acute sideeffects were similar except more leucocytopenia in IC/CCRT group than IC/RT group.Conclusions Compared with IC/RT, IC/CCRT dose not improve the overall survival in patients with T3-4N0-1 M0 and T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC.