Response-adapted consolidation therapy strategy for patients with metastatic high-risk neuroblastoma: Results of the SMC NB-2014 study.

BACKGROUND: Tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) and incorporation of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) treatment have shown positive outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma. However, more optimized treatment strategies are still needed. PROCEDURE: The NB-2014 study was a nonrandomized, prospective trial that examined survival outcomes in metastatic high-risk neuroblastoma patients using response-adapted consolidation therapy. We used post-induction residual 123I-MIBG status at metastatic sites as a treatment response marker. Patients achieving complete resolution of MIBG uptake at metastatic sites underwent a reduced first HDCT/auto-SCT with a 20% dose reduction in HDCT. After the first HDCT/auto-SCT, patients with remaining MIBG uptake received dose-escalated (18 mCi/kg) 131I-MIBG treatment. In contrast, those with complete resolution of MIBG at metastatic sites received a standard dose (12 mCi/kg) of 131I-MIBG. We compared survival and toxicity outcomes with a historical control group from the NB-2009. RESULTS: Of 65 patients treated, 63% achieved complete resolution of MIBG uptake at metastatic sites following induction chemotherapy, while 29% of patients still had MIBG uptake at metastatic sites after the first HDCT/auto-SCT. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 68.2% ± 6.0% and 86.5% ± 4.5%, respectively. Compared to NB-2009, EFS was similar (p = .855); however, NB-2014 had a higher OS (p = .031), a lower cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality (p = .036), and fewer acute and late toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that response-adaptive consolidation therapy based on chemotherapy response at metastatic sites facilitates better treatment tailoring, and appears promising for patients with metastatic high-risk neuroblastoma.

The Effect of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on Treatment Outcome in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Purpose: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been an important method of treatment in the advance of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The indications for HSCT are evolving and require updated establishment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of HSCT on the treatment outcome of pediatric ALL, considering the indications for HSCT and subgroups. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on ALL patients diagnosed and treated at a single center. Risk groups were categorized based on age at diagnosis, initial white blood cell count, disease lineage (B/T), and cytogenetic study results. Data on the patients' disease status at HSCT and indications of HSCT were collected. Indications for HSCT were categorized as upfront HSCT at 1st complete remission, relapse, and refractory disease. Results: Among the 549 screened patients, a total of 418 patients were included in the study; B-ALL (n=379) and T-ALL (n=39). HSCT was conducted on a total of 106 patients (25.4%), with a higher frequency as upfront HSCT in higher risk groups and specific cytogenetics. The overall survival (OS) was significantly better when done upfront than in relapsed or refractory state in T-ALL patients (p=0.0016). The KMT2A-rearranged ALL patients showed superior event-free survival (p=0.0023) and OS (p=0.0221) when HSCT was done as upfront treatment. Conclusion: HSCT had a substantial positive effect in a specific subset of pediatric ALL. In particular, frontline HSCT for T-ALL and KMT2A-rearranged ALL offered a better prognosis than when HSCT was conducted in a relapsed or refractory setting.

Reliability and Validity of a Tablet-Based Neuropsychological Test (the Hellocog) for Screening Dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To address the gap in timely diagnosis of dementia due to limited screening tools, we investigated the validity and reliability of the Hellocog, computerized neuropsychological test based on tablets for screening dementia. The higher the probability score on the Hellocog, the higher the likelihood of dementia. METHODS: This study included 100 patients with dementia and 100 individuals with normal cognition who were aged 60 years or older and free of other major psychiatric, neurological, or medical conditions. They administered the Hellocog on a tablet under the supervision of a neuropsychologist. To determine test-retest reliability, 20 took the Hellocog again after 4 weeks. Diagnostic performance was assessed using the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The Hellocog showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.69) and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.86, p<0.001). Participants with dementia scored higher on the Hellocog than those with normal cognition (p<0.001), confirming its high criterion validity. Strong correlations with the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score and the total score of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-TS) highlight the concurrent validity of the Hellocog. The area under the ROC curve for dementia of the Hellocog was excellent (0.971) and comparable to that of the MMSE and CERAD-TS. The sensitivity and specificity for dementia were 0.945 and 0.872%, respectively, which were slightly better than those of the MMSE and CERAD-TS. CONCLUSION: Hellocog stands out as a valid and reliable tool for self-administered dementia screening, with promise for improving early detection of dementia.

MTD-Diorama: Moving Target Defense Visualization Engine for Systematic Cybersecurity Strategy Orchestration.

With the advancement in information and communication technology, modern society has relied on various computing systems in areas closely related to human life. However, cyberattacks are also becoming more diverse and intelligent, with personal information and human lives being threatened. The moving target defense (MTD) strategy was designed to protect mission-critical systems from cyberattacks. The MTD strategy shifted the paradigm from passive to active system defense. However, there is a lack of indicators that can be used as a reference when deriving general system components, making it difficult to configure a systematic MTD strategy. Additionally, even when selecting system components, a method to confirm whether the systematic components are selected to respond to actual cyberattacks is needed. Therefore, in this study, we surveyed and analyzed existing cyberattack information and MTD strategy research results to configure a component dataset. Next, we found the correlation between the cyberattack information and MTD strategy component datasets and used this to design and implement the MTD-Diorama data visualization engine to configure a systematic MTD strategy. Through this, researchers can conveniently identify the attack surface contained in cyberattack information and the MTD strategies that can respond to each attack surface. Furthermore, it will allow researchers to configure more systematic MTD strategies that can be used universally without being limited to specific computing systems.

White matter microstructural integrity as a key to effective propagation of gamma entrainment in humans.

Gamma entrainment through sensory stimulation has the potential to reduce the pathology of Alzheimer's disease in mouse models. However, clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have yielded inconsistent results, necessitating further investigation. This single-center pre-post intervention study aims to explore the influence of white matter microstructural integrity on gamma rhythm propagation from the visual cortex to AD-affected regions in 31 cognitively normal volunteers aged ≥ 65. Gamma rhythm propagation induced by optimal FLS was measured. Diffusion tensor imaging was employed to assess the integrity of white matter tracts of interest. After excluding 5 participants with a deficit in steady-state visually evoked potentials, 26 participants were included in the final analysis. In the linear regression analyses, gamma entrainment was identified as a significant predictor of gamma propagation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the study identified white matter microstructural integrity as a significant predictor of gamma propagation by flickering light stimulation (p < 0.05), which was specific to tracts that connect occipital and temporal or frontal regions. These findings indicate that, despite robust entrainment of gamma rhythms in the visual cortex, their propagation to other regions may be impaired if the microstructural integrity of the white matter tracts connecting the visual cortex to other areas is compromised. Consequently, our findings have expanded our understanding of the prerequisites for effective gamma entrainment and suggest that future clinical trials utilizing visual stimulation for gamma entrainment should consider white matter tract microstructural integrity for candidate selection and outcome analysis.

Construction and validation of a brain magnetic resonance imaging template for normal older Koreans.

BACKGROUND: Spatial normalization to a standardized brain template is a crucial step in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Brain templates made from sufficient sample size have low brain variability, improving the accuracy of spatial normalization. Using population-specific template improves accuracy of spatial normalization because brain morphology varies according to ethnicity and age. METHODS: We constructed a brain template of normal Korean elderly (KNE200) using MRI scans 100 male and 100 female aged over 60 years old with normal cognition. We compared the deformation after spatial normalization of the KNE200 template to that of the KNE96, constructed from 96 cognitively normal elderly Koreans and to that of the brain template (OCF), constructed from 434 non-demented older Caucasians to examine the effect of sample size and ethnicity on the accuracy of brain template, respectively. We spatially normalized the MRI scans of elderly Koreans and quantified the amount of deformations associated with spatial normalization using the magnitude of displacement and volumetric changes of voxels. RESULTS: The KNE200 yielded significantly less displacement and volumetric change in the parahippocampal gyrus, medial and posterior orbital gyrus, fusiform gyrus, gyrus rectus, cerebellum and vermis than the KNE96. The KNE200 also yielded much less displacement in the cerebellum, vermis, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and thalamus and much less volumetric change in the cerebellum, vermis, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus than the OCF. CONCLUSION: KNE200 had the better accuracy than the KNE96 due to the larger sample size and was far accurate than the template constructed from elderly Caucasians in elderly Koreans.

Triglyceride-Related Parameters and Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Lesions in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Objective: Recently, evidence has suggested that the pathophysiology and risk factors of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) differs from those of extracranial atherosclerosis (ECAS). In addition, novel parameters reflecting metabolic conditions, such as insulin resistance or atherogenic dyslipidemia, based on triglycerides (TG) and other biomarkers, have emerged. In this study, we evaluated the association between TG-related parameters and symptomatic cerebral atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke resulting from large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). Methods: We assessed consecutive acute LAA-stroke patients between January 2010 and December 2020. Based on the radiological findings, we classified the relevant symptomatic arteries that caused the index stroke into LAA-ICAS and LAA-ECAS. As TG-related parameters, the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and TG-glucose (TyG) index were calculated according to the following formulas: AIP = log10 (TG Level/High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level), TyG Index = Ln (TG Level × Glucose Level/2). Results: A total of 519 patients with LAA-stroke were evaluated. In multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of LAA-ICAS, AIP was significantly associated with LAA-ICAS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-8.06). TyG index also showed a statistically significant relationship with LAA-ICAS (aOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.11-2.32). However, TG per se did not show a statistical association with LAA-ECAS. Conclusion: TG-related parameters were more closely associated with stroke by ICAS than by ECAS. The metabolic conditions reflected by the AIP or TyG index, rather than hypertriglyceridemia itself, may play a greater role in determining the relevant vessel causally involved in a stroke.

Exploration of neuroanatomical characteristics to differentiate prodromal Alzheimer's disease from cognitively unimpaired amyloid-positive individuals.

Differentiating clinical stages based solely on positive findings from amyloid PET is challenging. We aimed to investigate the neuroanatomical characteristics at the whole-brain level that differentiate prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) from cognitively unimpaired amyloid-positive individuals (CU A+) in relation to amyloid deposition and regional atrophy. We included 45 CU A+ participants and 135 participants with amyloid-positive prodromal AD matched 1:3 by age, sex, and education. All participants underwent 18F-florbetaben positron emission tomography and 3D structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We compared the standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) and volumes in 80 regions of interest (ROIs) between CU A+ and prodromal AD groups using independent t-tests, and employed the least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) logistic regression model to identify ROIs associated with prodromal AD in relation to amyloid deposition, regional atrophy, and their interaction. After applying False Discovery Rate correction at < 0.1, there were no differences in global and regional SUVR between CU A+ and prodromal AD groups. Regional volume differences between the two groups were observed in the amygdala, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, insula, parahippocampal gyrus, and inferior temporal and parietal cortices. LASSO logistic regression model showed significant associations between prodromal AD and atrophy in the entorhinal cortex, inferior parietal cortex, both amygdalae, and left hippocampus. The mean SUVR in the right superior parietal cortex (beta coefficient = 0.0172) and its interaction with the regional volume (0.0672) were also selected in the LASSO model. The mean SUVR in the right superior parietal cortex was associated with an increased likelihood of prodromal AD (Odds ratio [OR] 1.602, p = 0.014), particularly in participants with lower regional volume (OR 3.389, p < 0.001). Only regional volume differences, not amyloid deposition, were observed between CU A+ and prodromal AD. The reduced volume in the superior parietal cortex may play a significant role in the progression to prodromal AD through its interaction with amyloid deposition in that region.

Long-term effects of local radiotherapy on growth and vertebral features in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of local radiotherapy (RT) on growth, we evaluated the chronological growth profiles and vertebral features of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. METHODS: Thirty-eight children who received local photon or proton beam therapy to the abdomen or retroperitoneum between January 2014 and September 2019 were included. Simple radiography of the thoracolumbar spine was performed before and every year after RT. The height and vertical length of the irradiated vertebral bodies (VBs) compared with the unirradiated VBs (vertebral body ratio, VBR) were analyzed using the linear mixed model. Shape feature analysis was performed to compare the irradiated and unirradiated vertebrae. RESULTS: The follow-up was a median of 53.5 months (range, 21-81 months) after RT. A decline in height z-scores was mainly found in the early phase after treatment. In the linear mixed model with height, the initial height (fixed, p < 0.001), sex (time interaction, p = 0.008), endocrine dysfunction (time interaction, 0.019), and age at diagnosis (fixed and time interaction, both p = 0.002) were significant. Unlike the trend in height, the change in VBR (ΔVBR) decreased gradually (p < 0.001). The ΔVBR in the group that received more than 30 Gy decreased more than in the group that received smaller doses. In the shape feature analysis, the irradiated VBs changed to a more irregular surface that were neither round nor rectangular. CONCLUSION: The irradiated VBs in children were gradually restricted compared to the unirradiated VBs in long-term follow-up, and higher RT doses were significantly affected. Radiation-induced irregular features of VBs were observed.

Lifestyle and incident dementia: A COSMIC individual participant data meta­analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The LIfestyle for BRAin Health (LIBRA) index yields a dementia risk score based on modifiable lifestyle factors and is validated in Western samples. We investigated whether the association between LIBRA scores and incident dementia is moderated by geographical location or sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: We combined data from 21 prospective cohorts across six continents (N = 31,680) and conducted cohort-specific Cox proportional hazard regression analyses in a two-step individual participant data meta-analysis. RESULTS: A one-standard-deviation increase in LIBRA score was associated with a 21% higher risk for dementia. The association was stronger for Asian cohorts compared to European cohorts, and for individuals aged ≤75 years (vs older), though only within the first 5 years of follow-up. No interactions with sex, education, or socioeconomic position were observed. DISCUSSION: Modifiable risk and protective factors appear relevant for dementia risk reduction across diverse geographical and sociodemographic groups. HIGHLIGHTS: A two-step individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted. This was done at a global scale using data from 21 ethno-regionally diverse cohorts. The association between a modifiable dementia risk score and dementia was examined. The association was modified by geographical region and age at baseline. Yet, modifiable dementia risk and protective factors appear relevant in all investigated groups and regions.

LazyFrog: Advancing Security and Efficiency in Commercial Wireless Charging with Adaptive Frequency Hopping.

With the proliferation of electronic devices and electricity-based mobility solutions, the significance of wireless power transfer technology has increased substantially. However, ensuring secure and reliable power transmission to authorized users remains a significant challenge. Addressing this complex issue requires an integrated approach that balances efficiency, stability, and security considerations. While current efforts primarily focus on improving charging efficiency and user convenience, integrating robust security measures into wireless charging infrastructure is challenging due to its inherently open nature and susceptibility to external interference. Technical advancements are required to strengthen the security of the wireless charging infrastructure; however, these should be balanced with power loss management. This study tackles two core issues: the increasing hardware requirements for billing system authentication protocols and the interception of wireless charging signals by unauthorized users, leading to power theft and subsequent losses. To address these challenges, we propose a mechanism termed "LazyFrog". This mechanism dynamically adjusts the frequency hopping schedule, activating frequency changes only in response to detected threats during remote charging or upon identifying unauthorized access attempts. The proposed mechanism compares the expected power reception at the device with the actual power supplied by the charging station, enabling the detection of abnormal power losses. By minimizing unnecessary frequency changes and optimizing energy consumption, LazyFrog reduces hardware requirements. Moreover, we have implemented a relative distance estimation mechanism to facilitate efficient power transfer as wireless devices move within the charging environment. With these features, LazyFrog demonstrates a secure, flexible, and energy-efficient wireless charging system ready for practical application.

Outcomes of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants for secondary prevention in ischemic stroke with atrial fibrillation.

Previous studies have rarely investigated the role of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) and warfarin in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). In this study, we compared the effectiveness and safety of NOAC and warfarin for secondary prevention in Korean ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Based on the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database, this study included 21,064 oral anticoagulants-naïve acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF between July 2015 and June 2019. The main study outcomes included ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, and death. During the observational periods, NOAC users had a significantly decreased risk of ischemic stroke + systemic embolism (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.95), ischemic stroke (aHR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81-0.99), major bleeding (aHR 0.78; 95% CI 0.68-0.89), and all-cause death (aHR 0.87; 95% CI 0.81-0.93). Standard-dose NOAC users had a lower risk of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding events than warfarin users. In contrast, low-dose NOAC users did not differ in risk from warfarin users for all outcomes. In conclusion, NOACs were associated with a lower risk of secondary thromboembolic events and bleeding complications in Korean ischemic stroke patients with NVAF than warfarin.

Impaired Glymphatic Flow on Diffusion Tensor MRI as a Marker of Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease: Correlation with Gray Matter Volume Loss and Cognitive Decline Independent of Cerebral Amyloid Deposition.

Background: Impaired glymphatic flow on the Alzheimer's disease (AD) spectrum may be evaluated using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS). Objective: We aimed to validate impaired glymphatic flow and explore its association with gray matter volume, cognitive status, and cerebral amyloid deposition on the AD spectrum. Methods: 80 participants (mean age, 76.9±8.5 years; 57 women) with AD (n = 65) and cognitively normal (CN) (n = 15) who underwent 3T brain MRI including DTI and/or amyloid PET were included. After adjusting for age, sex, apolipoprotein E status, and burden of white matter hyperintensities, the ALPS-index was compared according to the AD spectrum. The association between the ALPS-index and gray matter volume, cognitive status, and quantitative amyloid from PET was assessed. Results: The ALPS-index in the AD was significantly lower (mean, 1.476; 95% CI, 1.395-1.556) than in the CN (1.784;1.615-1.952; p = 0.026). Volumes of the entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, temporal pole, and primary motor cortex showed significant associations with the ALPS-index (all, p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the ALPS-index and MMSE score (partial r = 0.435; p < 0.001), but there was no significant correlation between the ALPS-index and amyloid SUVRs (all, p > 0.05). Conclusions: Decreased glymphatic flow measured by DTI-ALPS in AD may serve as a marker of neurodegeneration correlating with structural atrophy and cognitive decline.

Musculoskeletal Pain, Physical Activity, Muscle Mass, and Mortality in Older Adults: Results from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA).

Background and objectives: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain significantly impacts physical activity and quality of life in older adults, potentially influencing mortality. This study explored the relationship between MSK pain, physical activity, muscle mass, and mortality among older adults. Material and Methods: We studied 1000 participants in the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA), a prospective, population-based cohort study of people aged 65 years or older. Survival status was tracked over a 5-year period. Correlations between low back pain (LBP), knee pain, regular exercise, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), and other variables were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for mortality. Results: Of the total participants, 829 (82.9%) survived over a 5-year period. Survivors tended to be younger, had a higher BMI, and were more active in regular exercise. In contrast, non-survivors exhibited a higher prevalence of both LBP and knee pain, along with increased instances of multiple MSK pains. Lower ASM correlated moderately with LBP and knee pain, whereas higher ASM was associated with regular exercise. There was a moderate correlation between LBP and knee pain, both of which were associated with a lack of regular exercise. Age, sex, ASM, and regular exercise were significant predictors, even though MSK pain itself did not directly predict all-cause mortality. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the independent association between ASM, regular exercise, and mortality. Although MSK pain did not directly correlate with all-cause mortality, the non-survivor group had higher levels of both single and multiple MSK pains. Recognizing the interplay of MSK pain, physical activity, and muscle mass for older adults, the research underscores the need for holistic strategies to enhance health outcomes in older individuals with MSK pain.

Association of Depression With the Progression of Multimorbidity in Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between depression and the risk of multimorbidity progression has rarely been studied in older adults. This study was aimed to determine whether depression is associated with progression in the severity and complexity of multimorbidity, considering the influence of depression's severity and subtype. METHODS: As a part of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging and Dementia, this population-based cohort study followed a random sample of community-dwelling Koreans aged 60 and older for 8 years at 2-year intervals starting in 2010. Participants included those who completed mood and multimorbidity assessments and did not exhibit complex multimorbidity at the study's outset. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale, while multimorbidity was evaluated using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale. The study quantified multimorbidity complexity by counting affected body systems and measured multimorbidity severity by averaging scores across 14 body systems. FINDINGS: The 2,486 participants (age = 69.1 ± 6.5 years, 57.6% women) were followed for 5.9 ± 2.4 years. Linear mixed models revealed that participants with depression had a faster increase in multimorbidity complexity score (ß = .065, SE = 0.019, p = 0.001) than those without depression, but a comparable increase in multimorbidity severity score (ß = .001, SE = .009, p = 0.870) to those without depression. Cox proportional hazard models revealed that depression was associated with the risk of developing highly complex multimorbidity affecting five or more body systems, particularly in severe or anhedonic depression. INTERPRETATION: Depression was associated with the worsening of multimorbidity in Korean older adults, particularly when severe or anhedonic. Early screening and management of depression may help to reduce the burden of multimorbidity in older adults.

The influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cognitive function in individuals without dementia: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been suggested as a cognitive enhancing agent, though their effect is doubtful. We aimed to examine the effect of n-3 PUFA on the cognitive function of middle-aged or older adults without dementia. METHODS: We reviewed randomized controlled trials of individuals aged 40 years or older. We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases. We used the restricted cubic splines model for non-linear dose-response meta-analysis in terms of the standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The current meta-analysis on 24 studies (n 9660; follow-up 3 to 36 months) found that the beneficial effect on executive function demonstrates an upward trend within the initial 12 months of intervention. This effect is prominently observed with a daily intake surpassing 500 mg of n-3 PUFA and up to 420 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Furthermore, these trends exhibit heightened significance in regions where the levels of blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + EPA are not very low. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of n-3 PUFA may confer potential benefits to executive function among the middle-aged and elderly demographic, particularly in individuals whose dietary DHA + EPA level is not substantially diminished.

Differences in sarcopenia status and mortality according to physical activity: results from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA).

PURPOSE: There is increasing evidence that promoting physical activity can prevent sarcopenia. However, physical activity (PA) decreases with age, and the impact of PA intensity on health is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between the level of PA and sarcopenia, and the association between PA levels and mortality in patients with and without sarcopenia. METHODS: Data were derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging. PA was classified as sedentary behavior, light PA, or moderate-to-vigorous PA. Each PA level was subdivided based on the median time spent engaged in that activity, yielding eight PA profiles. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the association between PA level and sarcopenia, and between PA profiles and mortality. RESULTS: This study included 620 participants (50.2% women; mean age 75.7 ± 7.5 years), of whom 130 (21.0%) participants were identified sarcopenia. During follow-up (mean 10.9 ± 4.1 years), 264 (42.6%) participants died. Overall, sarcopenic participants were less physically active than non-sarcopenic participants. After multivariate adjustment, more sedentary behavior and less moderate-to-vigorous PA were associated with sarcopenia and all related variables, except muscle mass. Compared with the reference, non-sarcopenic participants with lower sedentary behavior and concomitantly higher moderate-to-vigorous PA had significantly lower hazard ratios for mortality, while higher light PA reduced mortality in sarcopenic participants regardless of time spent engaged in sedentary behavior or moderate-to-vigorous PA. CONCLUSIONS: PA, especially sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous PA, was associated with sarcopenia and related variables, but the level of PA that prevented death differed according to sarcopenia status. Our findings may help determine the optimal intensity and amount of PA.

Risk factors and cognitive correlates of white matter hyperintensities in ethnically diverse populations without dementia: The COSMIC consortium.

INTRODUCTION: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are an important imaging marker for cerebral small vessel diseases, but their risk factors and cognitive associations have not been well documented in populations of different ethnicities and/or from different geographical regions. METHODS: We investigated how WMHs were associated with vascular risk factors and cognition in both Whites and Asians, using data from five population-based cohorts of non-demented older individuals from Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Sweden (N = 1946). WMH volumes (whole brain, periventricular, and deep) were quantified with UBO Detector and harmonized using the ComBat model. We also harmonized various vascular risk factors and scores for global cognition and individual cognitive domains. RESULTS: Factors associated with larger whole brain WMH volumes included diabetes, hypertension, stroke, current smoking, body mass index, higher alcohol intake, and insufficient physical activity. Hypertension and stroke had stronger associations with WMH volumes in Whites than in Asians. No associations between WMH volumes and cognitive performance were found after correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSION: The current study highlights ethnic differences in the contributions of vascular risk factors to WMHs.

Sarcopenia with decreased total psoas muscle area in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: We calculated psoas muscle area (PMA) z-scores in high-risk neuroblastoma patients undergoing treatment to examine the clinical significance of sarcopenia in this cohort. METHODS: We analyzed retrospective data from patients aged 0-18 who were diagnosed with abdominal neuroblastoma between 2005 and 2019 at Samsung Medical Center. Patients categorized as high-risk undergone induction chemotherapy, neuroblastoma excision, and tandem high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) were selected. L3-4 lumbar levels on axial CT images were identified and we measured the areas of the left and right psoas muscles to determine tPMA. Total PMA z-scores were calculated using an open online tool. RESULTS: There were 45 boys and 25 girls with a mean age of 3.86 years. CT images taken at initial diagnosis and after tandem HDCT/auto-SCT were selected to calculate tPMA z-scores. Mean elapsed time between the two measurements was 12.91 ± 1.73 months. Mean tPMA z-score significantly decreased from -0.21 ± 1.29 to -0.66 ± 0.97 (p = 0.022). Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the group of patients whose tPMA z-scores decreased by more than .45 (177.62 ± 28.82 days vs. 165.75 ± 21.34 days, p = 0.049). Presence of sarcopenia at initial diagnosis was a significant risk factor for bacterial infection during neuroblastoma treatment. CONCLUSION: tPMA z-scores in high-risk neuroblastoma patients decreased significantly following a treatment regimen that included induction chemotherapy, tumor resection surgery, and HDCT/auto-SCT. A greater decrease in tPMA z-score was associated with longer hospital stay during treatment.

Blood urea nitrogen to albumin ratio is associated with cerebral small vessel diseases.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to albumin ratio (BAR) is a comprehensive parameter that reflects renal, inflammatory, nutritional, and endothelial functions. BAR has been shown to be associated with various cancers, pneumonia, sepsis, and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases; however, few studies have been conducted on its association with cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the association between BAR and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants. We assessed consecutive health check-up participants between January 2006 and December 2013. For the cSVD subtype, we quantitatively measured the volume of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and qualitatively measured the presence of lacune and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). The BAR was calculated by dividing BUN by albumin as follows: BAR = BUN (mg/dl)/albumin (g/dl). A total of 3012 participants were evaluated. In multivariable linear regression analysis, BAR showed a statistically significant association with WMH volume after adjusting for confounders [ß = 0.076, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.027-0.125]. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, BAR was significantly associated with lacunes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00-1.44] and CMBs (aOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.55). BAR was associated with all types of cSVD in the health check-up participants.