rudyvdbrink/CitationDatabase huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with involuntary admissions: a register-based cross-sectional multicenter study.
Annals of general psychiatry, 2021

Despite the EU recommendations on mental health, involuntary admission has been under researched in Italy for a long time and the overall picture of involuntary admission still appears fragmentary. The aims of this study are to evaluate involuntary admission rates in the Piedmont Region (Italy) and to investigate clinical and service-related variables associated with involuntary admission.
Transgenic substitution with Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili fish insulin 2 in NOD mice reduces beta cell immunogenicity.
Scientific reports, 2019

Type I diabetes (T1D) is caused by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. This process is triggered, in part, by specific (aa 9-23) epitopes of the insulin Β chain. Previously, fish insulins were used clinically in patients allergic to bovine or porcine insulin. Fish and human insulin differ by two amino acids in the critical immunogenic region (aa 9-23) of the B chain. We hypothesized that β cells synthesizing fish insulin would be less immunogenic in a mouse model of T1D. Transgenic NOD mice in which Greater Amberjack fish (Seriola dumerili) insulin was substituted for the insulin 2 gene were generated (mouse Ins1
Evidence for interhemispheric imbalance in stroke patients as revealed by combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography.
Human brain mapping, 2021

Interhemispheric interactions in stroke patients are frequently characterized by abnormalities, in terms of balance and inhibition. Previous results showed an impressive variability, mostly given to the instability of motor-evoked potentials when evoked from the affected hemisphere. We aim to find reliable interhemispheric measures in stroke patients with a not-evocable motor-evoked potential from the affected hemisphere, by combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography. Ninteen stroke patients (seven females; 61.26 ± 9.8 years) were studied for 6 months after a first-ever stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory. Patients underwent four evaluations: clinical, cortical, corticospinal, and structural. To test the reliability of our measures, the evaluations were repeated after 3 weeks. To test the sensitivity, 14 age-matched healthy controls were compared to stroke patients. In stroke patients, stimulation of the affected hemisphere did not result in any inhibition onto the unaffected. The stimulation of the unaffected hemisphere revealed a preservation of the inhibition mechanism onto the affected. This resulted in a remarkable interhemispheric imbalance, whereas this mechanism was steadily symmetric in healthy controls. This result was stable when cortical evaluation was repeated after 3 weeks. Importantly, patients with a better recovery of the affected hand strength were the ones with a more stable interhemispheric balance. Finally, we found an association between microstructural integrity of callosal fibers, suppression of interhemispheric TMS-evoked activity and interhemispheric connectivity. We provide direct and sensitive cortical measures of interhemispheric imbalance in stroke patients. These measures offer a reliable means of distinguishing healthy and pathological interhemispheric dynamics.
Standardized visual EEG features predict outcome in patients with acute consciousness impairment of various etiologies.
Critical care (London, England), 2020

Early prognostication in patients with acute consciousness impairment is a challenging but essential task. Current prognostic guidelines vary with the underlying etiology. In particular, electroencephalography (EEG) is the most important paraclinical examination tool in patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), whereas it is not routinely used for outcome prediction in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
How confident are general practitioners in interpreting neuroradiology reports?
Clinical radiology, 2018

To determine the level of confidence general practitioners (GPs) have in radiology reports provided by neuroradiologists and to elicit the preferences of GPs regarding report format and level of detail.
Longitudinal stability of medial temporal lobe connectivity is associated with tau-related memory decline.
eLife, 2020

The relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and cognitive decline is an important topic in the aging research field. Recent studies suggest that memory deficits are more susceptible to phosphorylated tau (Ptau) than amyloid-beta. However, little is known regarding the neurocognitive mechanisms linking Ptau and memory-related decline. Here, we extracted data from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ptau collected at baseline, diffusion tensor imaging measure twice, 2 year apart, and longitudinal memory data over 5 years. We defined three age- and education-matched groups: Ptau negative cognitively unimpaired, Ptau positive cognitively unimpaired, and Ptau positive individuals with mild cognitive impairment. We found the presence of CSF Ptau at baseline was related to a loss of structural stability in medial temporal lobe connectivity in a way that matched proposed disease progression, and this loss of stability in connections known to be important for memory moderated the relationship between Ptau accumulation and memory decline.
Telomere length and human hippocampal neurogenesis.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2020

Short telomere length is a risk factor for age-related disease, but it is also associated with reduced hippocampal volumes, age-related cognitive decline and psychiatric disorder risk. The current study explored whether telomere shortening might have an influence on cognitive function and psychiatric disorder pathophysiology, via its hypothesised effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We modelled telomere shortening in human hippocampal progenitor cells in vitro using a serial passaging protocol that mimics the end-replication problem. Serially passaged progenitors demonstrated shorter telomeres (P ≤ 0.05), and reduced rates of cell proliferation (P ≤ 0.001), with no changes in the ability of cells to differentiate into neurons or glia. RNA-sequencing and gene-set enrichment analyses revealed an effect of cell ageing on gene networks related to neurogenesis, telomere maintenance, cell senescence and cytokine production. Downregulated transcripts in our model showed a significant overlap with genes regulating cognitive function (P ≤ 1 × 10
Recreational Use of HIV Antiretroviral Medication and Implications for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment.
AIDS and behavior, 2020

Diversion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for recreational use is concerning for countries with high HIV prevalence. This paper presents reports of recreational use of ART among adolescents from two HIV prevention studies in South Africa: (1) a cross-sectional survey of N = 200 adolescents and (2) a qualitative study of pre-exposure prophylaxis with N = 57 adolescents and N = 25 clinicians. Among adolescents, 3% used and 14% knew someone who used non-prescribed ART for recreational purposes. Administration included smoking (71%), snorting (15%), injecting (15%), ingesting (15%), and inserting (3%). Participants predicted increased crime as recreational use of ART increased. Future studies should investigate prevalence, composition, and diversion of ART from HIV prevention and treatment.
An interview with Jenny Nichols.
Development (Cambridge, England), 2017

Jennifer Nichols is a Principal Investigator at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, UK. Her lab works on lineage segregation and the establishment of pluripotency in the mammalian embryo. In 2017 she was awarded the British Society for Developmental Biology's Cheryll Tickle Medal, given to mid-career female scientists with outstanding achievements in developmental biology. We met Jenny in her Cambridge office to talk about pluripotency
Inhibitory Control on a Stop Signal Task in Tourette Syndrome before and after Deep Brain Stimulation of the Internal Segment of the Globus Pallidus.
Brain sciences, 2021

As part of the first randomized double-blind trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus (GPi) in Tourette syndrome, we examined the effect of stimulation on response initiation and inhibition. A total of 14 patients with severe Tourette syndrome were recruited and tested on the stop signal task prior to and after GPi-DBS surgery and compared to eight age-matched healthy controls. Tics were significantly improved following GPi-DBS. The main measure of reactive inhibition, the stop signal reaction time did not change from before to after surgery and did not differ from that of healthy controls either before or after GPi-DBS surgery. This suggests that patients with Tourette syndrome have normal reactive inhibition which is not significantly altered by GPi-DBS.
An electrophysiological marker of arousal level in humans.
eLife, 2020

Deep non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and general anesthesia with propofol are prominent states of reduced arousal linked to the occurrence of synchronized oscillations in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Although rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is also associated with diminished arousal levels, it is characterized by a desynchronized, 'wake-like' EEG. This observation implies that reduced arousal states are not necessarily only defined by synchronous oscillatory activity. Using intracranial and surface EEG recordings in four independent data sets, we demonstrate that the 1/f spectral slope of the electrophysiological power spectrum, which reflects the non-oscillatory, scale-free component of neural activity, delineates wakefulness from propofol anesthesia, NREM and REM sleep. Critically, the spectral slope discriminates wakefulness from REM sleep solely based on the neurophysiological brain state. Taken together, our findings describe a common electrophysiological marker that tracks states of reduced arousal, including different sleep stages as well as anesthesia in humans.
Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of C1-C2 Pannus, a Step-by-Step Surgical and Anatomical Description: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.
Journal of neurological surgery. Part B, Skull base, 2021

Expanded endonasal endoscopic approaches provide access to the entire central skull base and craiocervical junction. The authors present a case of an 81-year-old man who presented with progressive spastic quadriparesis to the point of being wheel-chair bound. Cervical spine computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multilevel extensive spondylitic changes with a large pannus at the C1-2 junction, severely compressing the spinal cord ( Figs. 1 and 2 ). Given the significant anterior spinal cord compression and the patient's substantial weakness, the decision was made to perform an endoscopic endonasal anterior cervical decompression and resection of the pannus followed a posterior cervical fusion. The patient recovered well following surgery with significant improvement of motor function. The preoperative assessment, the step-by-step surgical technique, and the technical nuances are demonstrated and discussed. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/HzrZO-0Vol4 .
The Role of Glutamate in Language and Language Disorders - Evidence from ERP and Pharmacologic Studies.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 2020

Current models of language processing do not address mechanisms at the neurotransmitter level, nor how pharmacologic agents may improve language function(s) in seemingly disparate disorders. L-Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain, is extensively involved in various higher cortical functions. We postulate that the physiologic role of L-Glutamate neurotransmission extends to the regulation of language access, comprehension, and production, and that disorders in glutamatergic transmission and circuitry contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and sporadic-onset language disorders such as the aphasic stroke syndromes. We start with a review of basic science data pertaining to various glutamate receptors in the CNS and ways that they may influence the physiological processes of language access and comprehension. We then focus on the dysregulation of glutamate neurotransmission in three conditions in which language dysfunction is prominent: Alzheimer's Disease, Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, and Aphasic Stroke Syndromes. Finally, we review the pharmacologic and electrophysiologic (event related brain potential or ERP) data pertaining to the role glutamate neurotransmission plays in language processing and disorders.
A case-control and cohort study to determine the relationship between ethnic background and severe COVID-19.
EClinicalMedicine, 2020

People of minority ethnic backgrounds may be disproportionately affected by severe COVID-19. Whether this relates to increased infection risk, more severe disease progression, or worse in-hospital survival is unknown. The contribution of comorbidities or socioeconomic deprivation to ethnic patterning of outcomes is also unclear.
A systematic review of the literature on the role of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients.
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2020

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in East Asia and spread around the world from December 2019. The most severe stage of COVID-19 pathology is characterized by respiratory distress requiring intubation. In specific cases, tracheostomy is indicated to ensure the safety of the procedure. The aim of our study was to analyze the scientific literature identifying the indications for tracheostomy and safety precautions to reduce contamination. We analyzed the literature from February 2003 to April 2020, including papers on pandemics of other coronaviruses, such As Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, to obtain a variety of relevant information. We focused on indications for tracheostomy in patients affected by COVID-19 or related viruses and the measures adopted to perform a safe procedure. We included 35 papers, of which 24 (68.57%) discussed guidelines for tracheostomy indications. All 35 studies discussed the procedures for performing tracheostomy safely. Data obtained indicated that the authors generally agreed on safety measures but expressed different opinions about indications. Therefore, we provided guidelines addressing safety recommendations. After the pandemic has been resolved, we plan to conduct an international retrospective study to identify the criteria for tracheostomy indications.
[Neurodevelopmental disorders modify neurodegenerative diseases: a medical history to screen in memory clinic].
Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement, 2021

Neurodevelopmental disorders are frequent in the general population and are often lifelong conditions despite sometimes being masked by conscious or unconscious compensation and avoidance mechanisms. These conditions are often unknown or underestimated in adults, even when diagnosed in childhood. Neurodevelopmental disorders share similarities with and frequently interact in a complex way with neurodegenerative disorders. Considering these aspects during memory clinic assessments can provide a new perspective on lifelong neurocognitive trajectories. Assessing both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative dimensions is challenging but should improve diagnostic accuracy. It is therefore necessary to understand the lifelong specific neurocognitive trajectory of each patient in order to develop personalized and focused cognitive medicine and care.
Age-dependent and age-independent effects of testosterone in male quail.
General and comparative endocrinology, 2014

Various studies in rodents recently concluded that puberty should be considered as a second period of organization of brain and behavior and that action of sex steroids at that time is long lasting and possibly permanent. We tested this notion in male Japanese quail that had been castrated before 3weeks post-hatch by analyzing whether a similar treatment with exogenous testosterone initiated at 3, 5 or 7weeks post-hatch has a differential influence on the development of testosterone-dependent morphological, behavioral and neural characteristics that are known to be sexually differentiated. The growth of the androgen-dependent cloacal gland was significantly faster when testosterone treatment was initiated later in life indicating that the target tissue is not ready to fully respond to androgens at 3weeks post-hatch. The three groups of birds nevertheless developed a gland of the same size typical of intact sexually mature birds. When adults, all birds expressed copulatory behavior with the same frequencies and latencies and they displayed the same level of aromatase activity and of vasotocinergic innervation in the preoptic area as gonadally intact males despite the fact that they had been treated with testosterone for different durations starting at different ages. Surprisingly, the frequency of cloacal sphincter contractions, a measure of appetitive sexual behavior, was significantly higher when testosterone treatment had been initiated later. Together these data provide no clear evidence for an organizational action of testosterone during sexual maturation of male quail but additional experiments should investigate whether estrogens have such an action in females.
Recent advances in carrier mediated nose-to-brain delivery of pharmaceutics.
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2018

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) represent a growing public health issue, primarily due to the increased life expectancy and the aging population. The treatment of such disorders is notably elaborate and requires the delivery of therapeutics to the brain in appropriate amounts to elicit a pharmacological response. However, despite the major advances both in neuroscience and drug delivery research, the administration of drugs to the CNS still remains elusive. It is commonly accepted that effectiveness-related issues arise due to the inability of parenterally administered macromolecules to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) in order to access the CNS, thus impeding their successful delivery to brain tissues. As a result, the direct Nose-to-Brain delivery has emerged as a powerful strategy to circumvent the BBB and deliver drugs to the brain. The present review article attempts to highlight the different experimental and computational approaches pursued so far to attain and enhance the direct delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain and shed some light on the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of neurological disorders.
Fascicular Involvement of the Posterior Tibial Nerve as a Result of Perineural Ganglion Cyst at the Posterior Tibial Nerve in the Calf: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease, 2015

We report a 19-year-old woman with a 6-month history of nontraumatic left foot numbness associated with intermittent weakness. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography localized the lesion to the posterior tibial nerve, below the innervation to the soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles. MRI of the left leg revealed a multiloculated cystic collection near the proximal tibiofibular joint. Surgical excision and pathology confirmed the diagnosis of a ganglion cyst, in an atypical location distal to the popliteal fossa. We believe this is the first reported case of fascicular posterior tibial nerve involvement by a ganglion cyst in the calf.
The impact of social media use on depression in multiple sclerosis patients.
Acta neurologica Belgica, 2020

Social media is a powerful tool in providing information and support for minority groups such as patients with chronic diseases. We aimed to assess the link between using online social media and depression in a sample population of Iranian Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. In this cross-sectional study, a number of MS patients between 18-55 years were recruited. The Persian-language version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II-Persian) was used to screen MS patients for depression. We selected a cut-off point of 16 to identify depressed MS patients, who answered the self-administered questionnaire designed by the authors (the validity and reliability was confirmed before). Patients, whose interaction with social networks and communication tools was limited to < 1 h/day for < 5 times/month, were allocated as controls. A two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We compared the depression score between patients who used internet and social media (16.38 ± 8.35) with those who did not (25 ± 13.98). We found out there was a significant difference (p = 0.046). However, there were no significant differences between the type (r = 0.098, p = 0.513) and duration (r = - 0.102, p = 0.564) of social media with depression score. Also, based on a cut-off of 3 number of social media there was no significant difference in the status of depression among patients (p = 0.921). Based on the experience of patients, it is helpful to implement a source using online social media to facilitate patients' access to rehabilitation support and establish support groups with standard supervised information delivery.
Temporal flow of hubs and connectivity in the human brain.
NeuroImage, 2020

Hubs in brain network connectivity have previously been observed using neuroimaging techniques and are generally believed to be of pivotal importance to establish and maintain a functional platform on which cognitively meaningful and energy-efficient neuronal communication can occur. However, little is known if hubs are static (i.e. a brain region is always a hub) or if these properties change over time (i.e. brain regions fluctuate in their 'hubness'). To address this question, we introduce two new methodological concepts, the flow of brain connectivity and node penalized shortest paths which are then applied to time-varying functional connectivity fMRI BOLD data. We show that the constellations of active hubs change over time in a non-trivial way and that activity of hubs is dependent on the temporal scale of investigation. Slower fluctuations in the number of active hubs that exceeded the degree expected by chance alone were detected primarily in subcortical structures. Moreover, we observed faster fluctuations in hub activity residing predominately in the default mode network that suggests dynamic events in brain connectivity. Our results suggest that the temporal behavior of connectivity hubs is a multilayered and complex issue where method-specific properties of temporal sensitivity to time-varying connectivity must be taken into account. We discuss our results in relation to the on-going discussion of the existence of discrete and stable states in the resting-brain and the role of network hubs in providing a scaffold for neuronal communication across time.