Inter-modality source coupling: a fully-automated whole-brain data-driven structure-function fingerprint shows replicable links to reading in a large-scale (N∼8K) analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Both structural and functional brain changes have been individually associated with developing cognitive processes such as reading. However, there is limited research about the combined influence of resting-state functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI and sMRI) features in reading development, which could provide insights into the interplay between brain structure and function in shaping cognitive growth. We propose a method called inter-modality source coupling (IMSC) to study the coupling between the rs-fMRI and sMRI and its relationship to reading ability in school-age children. METHODS: This approach is applied to baseline data from four thousand participants (9-11 years) and replicated in a second group. Our analysis focused on the relationship of IMSC to overall reading score. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that higher reading ability was linked with increased function-structure coupling among higher-level cortical regions, particularly those links between the inferior parietal lobule and inferior frontal areas, and conversely, lower reading ability was associated with enhanced function-structure coupling among the fusiform and lingual gyrus. Our study found evidence of spatial correspondence between the data indicating an interplay between brain structure and function in our participants. CONCLUSION: Our approach revealed a linked pattern of whole brain structure to the corresponding functional connectivity pattern that correlated with reading ability. This novel IMSC analysis method provides a new approach to study the multimodal relationship between brain function and structure. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings have interesting implications for understanding the multimodal complexity underlying the development of the neural basis for reading ability in school-aged children.

Zika virus congenital microcephaly severity classification and the association of severity with neuropsychomotor development.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus infection during pregnancy is linked to birth defects, most notably microcephaly, which is associated with neurodevelopmental delays. OBJECTIVE: The goals of the study were to propose a method for severity classification of congenital microcephaly based on neuroradiologic findings of MRI scans, and to investigate the association of severity with neuropsychomotor developmental scores. We also propose a semi-automated method for MRI-based severity classification of microcephaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional investigation of 42 infants born with congenital Zika infection. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (Bayley-III) developmental evaluations and MRI scans were carried out at ages 13-39 months (mean: 24.8 months; standard deviation [SD]: 5.8 months). The severity score was generated based on neuroradiologist evaluations of brain malformations. Next, we established a distribution of Zika virus-microcephaly severity score including mild, moderate and severe and investigated the association of severity with neuropsychomotor developmental scores. Finally, we propose a simplified semi-automated procedure for estimating the severity score based only on volumetric measures. RESULTS: The results showed a correlation of r=0.89 (P<0.001) between the Zika virus-microcephaly severity score and the semi-automated method. The trimester of infection did not correlate with the semi-automated method. Neuropsychomotor development correlated with the severity classification based on the radiologic readings and semi-automated method; the more severe the imaging scores, the lower the neuropsychomotor developmental scores. CONCLUSION: These severity classification methods can be used to evaluate severity of microcephaly and possible association with developmental consequences. The semi-automated methods thus provide an alternative for predicting severity of microcephaly based on only one MRI sequence.

Prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life in a sample of women in the first 24 h postpartum during the hospital stay. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from screening phase of a birth cohort. The proportion of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (primary outcome) derived from a negative response to the question "Would you be willing to try to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?", in an interview conducted by previously trained interviewers. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: A total of 2964 postpartum women were interviewed. The overall prevalence of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months was 17.8% (16.4-19.1%). After adjusting for maternal age and type of pregnancy (singleton or multiple), no intention to exclusively breastfeed was higher in mothers with a monthly household income < 3 minimum wages (PR, 1.64; 1.35-1.98) and in those who intended to smoke 4-7 days/week after delivery (PR, 1.42; 1.11-1.83). The presence of significant newborn morbidity (PR, 0.32; 0.19-0.54) and intention to breastfeed up to 12 months (PR, 0.46; 0.38-0.55) had a protective effect against not intending to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Conclusions: Approximately 1 in every 5 mothers did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Strategies aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding should focus attention on mothers from lower economic strata and smokers.

Prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life in a sample of women in the first 24 h postpartum during the hospital stay. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with data from screening phase of a birth cohort. The proportion of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (primary outcome) derived from a negative response to the question "Would you be willing to try to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?", in an interview conducted by previously trained interviewers. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: A total of 2964 postpartum women were interviewed. The overall prevalence of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months was 17.8% (16.4-19.1%). After adjusting for maternal age and type of pregnancy (singleton or multiple), no intention to exclusively breastfeed was higher in mothers with a monthly household income < 3 minimum wages (PR, 1.64; 1.35-1.98) and in those who intended to smoke 4-7 days/week after delivery (PR, 1.42; 1.11-1.83). The presence of significant newborn morbidity (PR, 0.32; 0.19-0.54) and intention to breastfeed up to 12 months (PR, 0.46; 0.38-0.55) had a protective effect against not intending to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in every 5 mothers did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Strategies aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding should focus attention on mothers from lower economic strata and smokers.