Automatic Spinal Cord Gray Matter Quantification: A Novel Approach

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, accurate and reproducible spinal cord GM segmentation remains challenging and a noninvasive broadly accepted reference standard for spinal cord GM measurements is still a matter of ongoing discussion. Our aim was to assess the reproducibility and accuracy of cervical spinal cord GM and WM cross-sectional area measurements using averaged magnetization inversion recovery acquisitions images and a fully-automatic postprocessing segmentation algorithm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cervical spinal cord of 24 healthy subjects (14 women; mean age, 40 ± 11 years) was scanned in a test-retest fashion on a 3T MR imaging system. Twelve axial averaged magnetization inversion recovery acquisitions slices were acquired over a 48-mm cord segment. GM and WM were both manually segmented by 2 experienced readers and compared with an automatic variational segmentation algorithm with a shape prior modified for 3D data with a slice similarity prior. Precision and accuracy of the automatic method were evaluated using coefficients of variation and Dice similarity coefficients.

RESULTS

The mean GM area was 17.20 ± 2.28 mm² and the mean WM area was 72.71 ± 7.55 mm² using the automatic method. Reproducibility was high for both methods, while being better for the automatic approach (all mean automatic coefficients of variation, ≤4.77%; all differences, P < .001). The accuracy of the automatic method compared with the manual reference standard was excellent (mean Dice similarity coefficients: 0.86 ± 0.04 for GM and 0.90 ± 0.03 for WM). The automatic approach demonstrated similar coefficients of variation between intra- and intersession reproducibility as well as among all acquired spinal cord slices.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel approach including the averaged magnetization inversion recovery acquisitions sequence and a fully-automated postprocessing segmentation algorithm demonstrated an accurate and reproducible spinal cord GM and WM segmentation. This pipeline is promising for both the exploration of longitudinal structural GM changes and application in clinical settings in disorders affecting the spinal cord.

Outcome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe the current literature related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision in terms of surgical aspects, graft choices, concomitant injuries, patient-reported outcome, return to sport, and objective measurement outcome.

RECENT FINDINGS

An ACL rupture is a common knee injury, and the number of primary ACL reconstructions is increasing, implying a subsequent increase of ACL revisions in the future. It is widely accepted that an ACL revision is surgically challenging with a myriad of graft options to choose from. In many cases, simultaneous injuries to the index limb including meniscal and chondral lesions, respectively, are observed in the setting of a secondary ACL injury. Furthermore, the general understanding is that an ACL revision results in inferior outcome compared with a primary ACL reconstruction. Surgical treatment of an ACL revision can be performed as one-stage or two-stage procedure depending on, for example, the presence of limb malalignments, concomitant injuries, and tunnel widening. Nonirradiated allografts and autologous patella tendon, hamstring tendon, and quadriceps tendon are feasible options for ACL revision. Concomitant injuries to the affected knee such as intraarticular chondral lesions are more common in the setting of an ACL revision compared with primary ACL reconstruction while a lower presence of concomitant meniscal pathology is reported at ACL revision. Patients undergoing ACL revision have lower clinical and patient-reported outcome and lower rates of return to sport when compared with primary ACL surgery cases. However, long-term follow-ups with large study cohorts evaluating outcome of ACL revision are limited. Further research is needed to confirm the present findings of this review.

Allograft for knee ligament surgery: an American perspective

PURPOSE

Allografts are frequently use for ligamentous reconstruction at the knee. In the United States, tissue donation and distribution are highly regulated processes with thorough oversight from private and government entities. Allograft is widely available in the United States and allograft procurement is a large industry with varying procurement, sterilization, processing, and distribution procedures. It is important to understand allograft regulation and processing which may affect graft mechanical properties and biological graft integration.

METHODS

English-language literature, United States government and regulatory agency statues pertaining to allograft procurement, distribution, and usage were reviewed and the findings summarized.

RESULTS

During the processing of allograft, multiple factors including sterilization procedures, irradiation, storage conditions, and graft type all affect the biomechanical properties of the allograft tissue. Biological incorporation and ligamentization of allograft does occur, but at a slower rate compared with autograft. For ligamentous reconstruction around the knee, allograft offers shorter operative time, no donor-site morbidity, but has shown an increased risk for graft failure compared to autograft.

CONCLUSION

This article reviews the regulations on graft tissue within the United States, factors affecting the biomechanics of allograft tissue, differences in allograft tissue choices, and the use of allograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and multiligamentous knee injury reconstruction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Dysbiosis in early sepsis can be modulated by a multispecies probiotic: a randomised controlled pilot trial

The gut is hypothesised to play an important role in the development and progression of sepsis. It is however unknown whether the gut microbiome and the gut barrier function is already altered early in sepsis development and whether it is possible to modulate the microbiome in early sepsis. Therefore, a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to examine the alterations of the microbiome and the gut barrier in early sepsis and the influence of a concomitant probiotic intervention on dysbiosis at this early stage of the disease was conducted. Patients with early sepsis, defined as fulfilling the sepsis definition from the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines but without signs of organ failure, received multispecies probiotic (Winclove 607 based on Omnibiotic® 10 AAD) for 28 days. Gut microbiome composition, function, gut barrier and bacterial translocation were studied. Patients with early sepsis had a significantly lower structural and functional alpha diversity, clustered differently and showed structural alterations on all taxonomic levels. Gut permeability was unaltered but endotoxin, endotoxin binding proteins and peptidoglycans were elevated in early sepsis patients compared to controls. Probiotic intervention successfully increased probiotic strains in stool and led to an improvement of functional diversity. Microbiome composition and function are altered in early sepsis. Probiotic intervention successfully modulates the microbiome and is therefore a promising tool for early intervention in sepsis.

Low serum concentration of free triiodothyronine (FT3) is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

In epidemiological studies, thyroid hormones (THs) have been associated with the risk of dementia. However, little is known of the relation between THs and risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) in a memory clinic population.

METHODS

In a mono-center study, serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were assessed in 302 patients. All patients had subjective or objective mild cognitive impairment and none received treatment with THs. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses was used to determine whether THs at baseline were associated with the risk of conversion to all-cause dementia, AD or VaD.

RESULTS

During the follow-up (mean 2.8 years), 82 (28%) of the patients progressed to dementia [AD, n = 55 (18%) and VaD, n = 17 (6%)]. Serum concentrations of TSH, FT4, and FT3 did not associate with all-cause dementia or VaD. Higher serum FT3 was associated with lower risk of conversion to AD [hazard ratio (HR) = 054; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.32-0.92 per 1 pmol/L increase]. Furthermore, patients in the lowest serum FT3 quartile had a twofold increased risk of AD compared to those in the highest quartile (HR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.06-6.47). These associations remained after adjustment for multiple covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In a memory clinic population, there was an inverse, linear association between serum FT3 and risk of AD whereas THs did not associate with all-cause dementia or VaD. Further studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms as well as the clinical significance of these findings.

Soluble CD163 and soluble mannose receptor predict survival and decompensation in patients with liver cirrhosis, and correlate with gut permeability and bacterial translocation

BACKGROUND

Activated hepatic macrophages play a key role in inflammation and fibrosis progression in chronic liver disease.

AIM

To assess the prognostic value of soluble (s)CD163 and mannose receptor (sMR) in cirrhotic patients and explore associations with markers of intestinal permeability (lactulose-mannitol ratio, diamine oxidase), bacterial translocation (endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein) and markers of systemic immune activation (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, sCD14).

METHODS

We prospectively investigated 101 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh class A: n = 72, Child-Pugh classes B and C: n = 29) and 31 healthy controls. Patients were observed for a median follow-up of 37 months.

RESULTS

Median plasma levels of sCD163 and soluble mannose receptor were significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients (P < .001) and increased with disease severity (sCD163 in healthy controls = 1.3, Child-Pugh class A = 4.2, Child-Pugh classes B and C = 8.4 mg/L; sMR in healthy controls = 15.8, Child-Pugh class A = 36.5, Child-Pugh classes B and C = 66.3 μg/dL). A total of 21 patients died during the observation period. Patients with sCD163 levels above 5.9 mg/L showed significantly reduced survival (survival rate after 36 months: 71% versus 98%, P < .001). Patients with soluble mannose receptor levels above 45.5 μg/dL developed significantly more complications of cirrhosis within 12 months (73% versus 9%, P < .001). Furthermore, both variables correlated with the lactulose-mannitol ratio, diamine oxidase, lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-8.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate the prognostic value of sCD163 in predicting long-term survival in patients with liver cirrhosis and identify soluble mannose receptor as a prognostic marker for occurrence of cirrhosis-associated complications. The correlation between gut barrier dysfunction and activation of macrophages points towards a link between them.

Low serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) level is associated with increased risk of vascular dementia

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is important for the adult brain, but little is known of the role of IGF-I in Alzheimeŕs disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODS

A prospective study of 342 patients with subjective or objective mild cognitive impairment recruited at a single memory clinic. We determined whether serum IGF-I concentrations at baseline were associated with the risk of all-cause dementia, AD, or VaD. Patients developing mixed forms of AD and VaD were defined as suffering from VaD. The statistical analyses included Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

During the follow-up (mean 3.6 years), 95 (28%) of the patients developed all-cause dementia [AD, n=37 (11%) and VaD, n=42 (12%)]. Low as well as high serum IGF-I (quartile 1 or 4 vs. quartiles 2-3) did not associate with all-cause dementia [crude hazard ratio (HR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-2.08 and crude HR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.63-1.75, respectively] or AD (crude HR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.35-1.79 and crude HR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.43-2.06, respectively]. In contrast, low serum IGF-I concentrations were associated with increased risk of VaD (quartile 1 vs. quartiles 2-3, crude HR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.13-4.36). The latter association remained significant also after adjustment for multiple covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In a memory clinic population, low serum IGF-I was a risk marker for subsequent VaD whereas low IGF-I did not associate with the risk of AD. High serum IGF-I was not related to the risk of conversion to dementia.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and a placebo both significantly reduced symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain

AIM

Lactobacillus reuteri is a Gram-positive bacterium that naturally inhabits the human intestinal tract. This study assessed how effectively the probiotic L. reuteri DSM 17938 managed childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP).

METHODS

We recruited 54 children with a mean age 9.1 ± 3.8 years, who were diagnosed with FAP in the outpatient clinics of three university hospitals in Greece, Slovenia and Poland, according to the Rome III criteria, from January 2013 to December 2015. They were randomly assigned to receive either 2 × 10⁸ colony-forming units of L. reuteri (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 27) for four weeks.

RESULTS

Both L. reuteri and the placebo significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of abdominal pain episodes at four and eight weeks compared to baseline (all p < 0.001). L. reuteri decreased the use of pain relieving drugs at four weeks and the number of child school and adult work absences at four and eight weeks, unlike the placebo, which achieved nonsignificant results. However, the difference between the groups did not reach significance. No side effects were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Both L. reuteri and the placebo were effective in alleviating pain in children with FAP, but only L. reuteri improved the child's and family's normal activities.

Seven years of growth hormone (GH) replacement improves quality of life in hypopituitary patients with adult-onset GH deficiency

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have determined the effects of long-term growth hormone (GH) replacement on quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the effects of 7 years of GH replacement on QoL.

DESIGN

A prospective, single-center, open-label study of 95 adults (mean age 52.8 years; 46 men) with adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD).

METHODS

QoL was measured using Quality of Life-Assessment for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA) and Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) scores.

RESULTS

The GH dose was gradually increased from 0.13 mg/day to 0.42 mg/day. IGF-I SD score increased from -1.49 at baseline to 0.35 at study end. The GH replacement induced sustained improvements in total QoL-AGHDA and PGWB scores. GHD women had a more marked improvement in total QoL-AGHDA score than GHD men after 5 and 7 years. Most of the improvement in QoL was seen during the first year, but there was a small further improvement also after one year as measured using QoL-AGHDA. All QoL-AGHDA dimensions improved, but the improvement in memory and concentration as well as tenseness occurred later than that of other dimensions. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the patients with the lowest baseline QoL had the greatest improvement in QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven years of GH replacement improved QoL with the most marked improvements in GHD women and in patients with low baseline QoL. Most, but not all, of the improvement in QoL was seen during the first year. Some QoL-AGHDA dimensions (memory and concentration, tenseness) responded at a slower rate than other dimensions.

Randomised clinical trial: the effects of a multispecies probiotic vs. placebo on innate immune function, bacterial translocation and gut permeability in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Probiotics may correct intestinal dysbiosis and proinflammatory conditions in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AIM

To test the effects of a multispecies probiotic on innate immune function, bacterial translocation and gut permeability.

METHODS

In a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study, stable cirrhotic out-patients either received a daily dose of a probiotic powder containing eight different bacterial strains (Ecologic Barrier, Winclove, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) (n = 44) or a placebo (n = 36) for 6 months and were followed up for another 6 months.

RESULTS

We found a significant but subclinical increase in neutrophil resting burst (2.6-3.2%, P = 0.0134) and neopterin levels (7.7-8.4 nmol/L, P = 0.001) with probiotics but not with placebo. Probiotic supplementation did not have a significant influence on neutrophil phagocytosis, endotoxin load, gut permeability or inflammatory markers. Ten severe infections occurred in total; one during intervention in the placebo group, and five and four after the intervention has ended in the probiotic and placebo group, respectively. Liver function showed some improvement with probiotics but not with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotic supplementation significantly increased serum neopterin levels and the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils. These findings might explain the beneficial effects of probiotics on immune function. Furthermore, probiotic supplementation may be a well-tolerated method to maintain or even improve liver function in stable cirrhosis. However, its influence on gut barrier function and bacterial translocation in cirrhotic patients is minimal.

Quantitative evaluation of orofacial motor function in mice: The pasta gnawing test, a voluntary and stress-free behavior test

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of motor deficits in rodents is mostly restricted to limb motor tests that are often high stressors for the animals.

NEW METHOD

To test rodents for orofacial motor impairments in a stress-free environment, we established the pasta gnawing test by measuring the biting noise of mice that eat a piece of spaghetti. Two parameters were evaluated, the biting speed and the biting peaks per biting episode. To evaluate the power of this test compared to commonly used limb motor and muscle strength tests, three mouse models of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Niemann-Pick disease were tested in the pasta gnawing test, RotaRod and wire suspension test.

RESULTS

Our results show that the pasta gnawing test reliably displays orofacial motor deficits.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

The test is especially useful as additional motor test in early onset disease models, since it shows first deficits later than the RotaRod or wire suspension test. The test depends on a voluntary eating behavior of the animal with only a short-time food deprivation and should thus be stress-free.

CONCLUSIONS

The pasta gnawing test represents a valuable tool to analyze orofacial motor deficits in different early onset disease models.

Vitamin D status in men with psoriatic arthritis: a case-control study

We determined hypovitaminosis D prevalence in men with psoriatic arthritis. This is a cross-sectional, analyst blinded, age- and sex-matched, case-control study. Men with psoriatic arthritis have significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Men with psoriatic arthritis are at increased odds of suffering from hypovitaminosis D.

INTRODUCTION

Skeletal manifestations as a result of abrupted bone metabolism may be predominant in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintenance of skeletal health and is known to modulate the immune system in various autoimmune diseases including PsA. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a treatment naïve, de novo psoriatic arthritis male cohort in a cross-sectional, analyst blinded, age- and sex-matched, case-control study.

METHODS

25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid (PTH), osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptides of type-I collagen (CTx) levels, and lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density were compared between 53 PsA and controls.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <75 nmol/L) was 81 and 57 % in the PsA and control groups, respectively. Compared to the healthy controls, 25OHD (67.2 (12-137) nmol/L vs. 51.9 (15-95) nmol/L; p = 0.001) was significantly lower, and osteocalcin (13.6 (5-33) μg/L vs. 18.2 (6-35) μg/L; p = 0.003) and C-terminal telopeptides of type-I collagen (0.20 (0.01-0.71) μg/L vs. 0.28 (0.06-0.69) μg/L; p = 0.008) were significantly higher in the PsA group. A significant association was found between hypovitaminosis D and PsA; the odds for patients with PsA of having hypovitaminosis D was 3.297 (95 % confidence interval 1.372 to 7.922).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that men with PsA have significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and furthermore, men with PsA are at statistically significant increased odds of suffering from hypovitaminosis D.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation and eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Unsatisfactory Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and therapy-associated side effects remain a problem.

AIM

To update our 2010 meta-analysis on the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii as supplementation to a standard eradication regimen on H. pylori eradication rates and therapy-associated side effects.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from July 2010 (end date of last search) to February 2015, with no language restrictions, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs); additional references were obtained from reviewed articles. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines.

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs (2200 participants, among them 330 children) met the inclusion criteria. Of the 853 patients in the S. boulardii group, 679 (80%, 95% CI 77-82) experienced eradication compared with 608 of the 855 patients (71%, 95% CI 68-74) in the control group [relative risk (RR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.17; moderate quality evidence]. S. boulardii compared with control reduced the risk of overall H. pylori therapy-related adverse effects (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.31-0.64; moderate quality evidence), particularly of diarrhoea (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42-0.62; high quality evidence) and nausea [RR 0.6, 95% CI 0.44-0.83 (moderate quality of evidence)].

CONCLUSIONS

In the populations studied, the effectiveness of standard triple therapy was unsatisfactory. The addition of S. boulardii significantly increased the eradication rate, but it was still below the desired level of success. Saccharomyces boulardii significantly decreased some therapy-related side effects.