Effects of white matter hyperintensity on cognitive function in PD patients: a meta-analysis

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction, which imposes a heavy burden on patients, their families, and society. Early identification and intervention are particularly important, but reliable biomarkers for identifying PD-related cognitive impairment at an early stage are currently lacking. Although numerous clinical studies have investigated the association between brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and cognitive decline, the findings regarding the relationships between WMH and cognitive dysfunction in PD patients have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the effect of WMH on PD cognitive function.MethodsThis study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We systematically searched relevant literature from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, and CBM. The retrieval time was limited to database records created up until December 31, 2022. Additionally, we manually retrieved references for full-text reading. Statistical data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software.ResultsThis study encompassed 23 individual studies and involved 2,429 patients with PD. The group of PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) exhibited a significantly higher overall level of WMH than the group of PD with normal cognitive function (PD-NC) (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21–0.52, p < 0.01). This finding was consistent across subgroup analyses based on different ethnicities (Asian or Caucasian), WMH assessment methods (visual rating scale or volumetry), and age matching. In addition to the overall differences in WMH load between the PD-MCI and PD-NC groups, the study found that specific brain regions, including periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH), had significantly higher WMH load in the PD-MCI group compared to the PD-NC group. The study also conducted a meta-analysis of WMH load data for PD with dementia (PDD) and PD without dementia (PDND), revealing that the overall WMH load in the PDD group was significantly higher than that in the PDND group (SMD = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.56–1.41, p < 0.01). This finding was consistent across subgroup analyses based on different ethnicities and age matching. Moreover, regarding specific brain regions (PVH or DWMH), the study found that the PDD group had significantly higher WMH load than the PDND group (p < 0.01).ConclusionWMH was associated with PD cognitive dysfunction. The early appearance of WMH may indicate PD with MCI

Multidimensional risk factor analysis of acute low back pain progressing to chronicity: a longitudinal cohort study protocol

IntroductionApproximately 40% of patients with acute low back pain (LBP) develop chronic low back pain, which significantly increases the risk of poor prognosis. To reduce the risk of acute LBP becoming chronic, effective preventive strategies are needed. Early identification of risk factors for the development of chronic LBP can help clinicians choose appropriate treatment options and improve patient outcomes. However, previous screening tools have not considered medical imaging findings. The aim of this study is to identify factors that can predict the risk of acute LBP becoming chronic based on clinical information, pain and disability assessment, and MRI imaging findings. This protocol describes the methodology and plan for investigating multidimensional risk factors for acute LBP becoming chronic, in order to better understand the development of acute LBP and prevent chronic LBP.MethodsThis is a prospective multicenter study. We plan to recruit 1,000 adult patients with acute low back pain from four centers. In order to select four representative centers, we find the larger hospitals from different regions in Yunnan Province. The study will use a longitudinal cohort design. Patients will undergo baseline assessments upon admission and will be followed up for 5 years to collect the time of chronicity and associated risk factors. Upon admission, patients will be collected detailed demographic information, subjective and objective pain scores, disability scale, and lumbar spine MRI scanning. In addition, patient’s medical history, lifestyle, psychological factors will be collected. Patients will be followed up at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and up for 5 years after admission to collect the time of chronicity and associated factors. Multivariate analysis will be used to explore the multidimensional risk factors affecting the chronicity of acute LBP patients (such as age, gender, BMI, degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, etc.), and survival analysis will be performed to explore the impact of each factor on the time of chronicity.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the institutional research ethics committee of each study center (main center number: 2022-L-305). Results will be disseminated through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed publications, as well as meetings with stakeholders

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Research for enzymes involved in the carnitine biosynthetic pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana and preliminary study of mutants with reduced carnitine content

La carnitine, un acide aminé crucial pour le transfert intracellulaire des acides gras chez les animaux et les micro-organismes, est présente chez les plantes mais son mode d'implication dans le métabolisme lipidique et dans le développement reste à déterminer. Afin d'étudier le rôle biologique de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis nous avons initié une recherche bioinformatique d'enzymes susceptibles de participer à sa synthèse dans le but d'obtenir des mutants à teneur réduite en carnitine. Des serines hydroxyméthyl transférases (SHMT), des thréonines aldolases (THA) et des aldéhydes déshydrogénases (ALDH) candidates ont été identifiées. Une recherche de mutants, soit caractérisés, soit dans les collections disponibles, ainsi qu'une approche de mutagénèse par micro-ARN artificiel ont été initiées. Ces mutants ont été étudiés sur le plan de leur teneur en carnitine, en précurseur y-butyrobétaïne, et en esters de carnitine. Les enzymes THA ne semblent pas impliquées dans la synthèse de la carnitine et si un mutant faible de SHMT1 présente une réduction de sa teneur, et de la y-butyrobétaïne, l'implication de cette protéine reste à démontrer. L'étude d'un mutant perte de fonction du gène ALDH10A8, et de mutants baisse de fonction du gène ALDH10A9, et une complémentation fonctionnelle de mutants de levure, nous ont permis de montrer que les enzymes ALDH10 sont impliquées dans la voie de biosynthèse de la carnitine en permettant la synthèse de la y-butyrobétaïne. Les mutants des protéines ALDH10, présentant des teneurs réduites en carnitine et en acyl-carnitine, sont désormais disponibles comme outil du rôle de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis.Carnitine, a crucial amino acid for the intacellular transfer of fatty acids in animals and microorganisms, is present in plants but its mode of implication in lipid metabolism and development remains to be determined. In order to investigate the biological function of carnitine in Arabidopsis, we initiated a bioinformatic search for enzymes that could be involved in its synthesis in order to obtain mutants with a reduced carnitine content. Serine hydroxymethyl transferases (SHMT), threonine aldolase (THA) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were identified as candidates. A search for mutants, either characterized or in available collections ans an amiRNA mutagenesis approach were carried out. In these mutants, the y-butyrobetaine as carnitine precursor, the carnitine, and carnitine esters were quantified. The THA enzymes do not appear to be involved in the carnitine synthesis and even if a weak mutant of SHMT1 has reduced contents of carnitine and y-butyrobetaine, the involvement of this protein remains to be demonstrated. A study of a knock-out mutant of the ALDH10A8 gene, of knock-down mutants of ALDH10A9 and a functional complementation of a C. albicans ALDH mutant, has confirmed the implication of ALDH10A8 and ALDH10A9 enzymes in the synthesis of y-butyrobetaine within the cartinine biosynthesis pathway. Mutants of the ALDH10 proteins, having significantly reduced carnitine and acyl-carnitine amounts, are now available as tools for studying the role of carnitine in Arabidopsis

Recherche d'enzymes impliquées dans la voie de biosynthèse de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis thaliana et étude préliminaire de mutants à teneur réduite en carnitine

Carnitine, a crucial amino acid for the intacellular transfer of fatty acids in animals and microorganisms, is present in plants but its mode of implication in lipid metabolism and development remains to be determined. In order to investigate the biological function of carnitine in Arabidopsis, we initiated a bioinformatic search for enzymes that could be involved in its synthesis in order to obtain mutants with a reduced carnitine content. Serine hydroxymethyl transferases (SHMT), threonine aldolase (THA) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were identified as candidates. A search for mutants, either characterized or in available collections ans an amiRNA mutagenesis approach were carried out. In these mutants, the y-butyrobetaine as carnitine precursor, the carnitine, and carnitine esters were quantified. The THA enzymes do not appear to be involved in the carnitine synthesis and even if a weak mutant of SHMT1 has reduced contents of carnitine and y-butyrobetaine, the involvement of this protein remains to be demonstrated. A study of a knock-out mutant of the ALDH10A8 gene, of knock-down mutants of ALDH10A9 and a functional complementation of a C. albicans ALDH mutant, has confirmed the implication of ALDH10A8 and ALDH10A9 enzymes in the synthesis of y-butyrobetaine within the cartinine biosynthesis pathway. Mutants of the ALDH10 proteins, having significantly reduced carnitine and acyl-carnitine amounts, are now available as tools for studying the role of carnitine in Arabidopsis.La carnitine, un acide aminé crucial pour le transfert intracellulaire des acides gras chez les animaux et les micro-organismes, est présente chez les plantes mais son mode d'implication dans le métabolisme lipidique et dans le développement reste à déterminer. Afin d'étudier le rôle biologique de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis nous avons initié une recherche bioinformatique d'enzymes susceptibles de participer à sa synthèse dans le but d'obtenir des mutants à teneur réduite en carnitine. Des serines hydroxyméthyl transférases (SHMT), des thréonines aldolases (THA) et des aldéhydes déshydrogénases (ALDH) candidates ont été identifiées. Une recherche de mutants, soit caractérisés, soit dans les collections disponibles, ainsi qu'une approche de mutagénèse par micro-ARN artificiel ont été initiées. Ces mutants ont été étudiés sur le plan de leur teneur en carnitine, en précurseur y-butyrobétaïne, et en esters de carnitine. Les enzymes THA ne semblent pas impliquées dans la synthèse de la carnitine et si un mutant faible de SHMT1 présente une réduction de sa teneur, et de la y-butyrobétaïne, l'implication de cette protéine reste à démontrer. L'étude d'un mutant perte de fonction du gène ALDH10A8, et de mutants baisse de fonction du gène ALDH10A9, et une complémentation fonctionnelle de mutants de levure, nous ont permis de montrer que les enzymes ALDH10 sont impliquées dans la voie de biosynthèse de la carnitine en permettant la synthèse de la y-butyrobétaïne. Les mutants des protéines ALDH10, présentant des teneurs réduites en carnitine et en acyl-carnitine, sont désormais disponibles comme outil du rôle de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis

Research for enzymes involved in the carnitine biosynthetic pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana and preliminary study of mutants with reduced carnitine content

La carnitine, un acide aminé crucial pour le transfert intracellulaire des acides gras chez les animaux et les micro-organismes, est présente chez les plantes mais son mode d'implication dans le métabolisme lipidique et dans le développement reste à déterminer. Afin d'étudier le rôle biologique de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis nous avons initié une recherche bioinformatique d'enzymes susceptibles de participer à sa synthèse dans le but d'obtenir des mutants à teneur réduite en carnitine. Des serines hydroxyméthyl transférases (SHMT), des thréonines aldolases (THA) et des aldéhydes déshydrogénases (ALDH) candidates ont été identifiées. Une recherche de mutants, soit caractérisés, soit dans les collections disponibles, ainsi qu'une approche de mutagénèse par micro-ARN artificiel ont été initiées. Ces mutants ont été étudiés sur le plan de leur teneur en carnitine, en précurseur y-butyrobétaïne, et en esters de carnitine. Les enzymes THA ne semblent pas impliquées dans la synthèse de la carnitine et si un mutant faible de SHMT1 présente une réduction de sa teneur, et de la y-butyrobétaïne, l'implication de cette protéine reste à démontrer. L'étude d'un mutant perte de fonction du gène ALDH10A8, et de mutants baisse de fonction du gène ALDH10A9, et une complémentation fonctionnelle de mutants de levure, nous ont permis de montrer que les enzymes ALDH10 sont impliquées dans la voie de biosynthèse de la carnitine en permettant la synthèse de la y-butyrobétaïne. Les mutants des protéines ALDH10, présentant des teneurs réduites en carnitine et en acyl-carnitine, sont désormais disponibles comme outil du rôle de la carnitine chez Arabidopsis.Carnitine, a crucial amino acid for the intacellular transfer of fatty acids in animals and microorganisms, is present in plants but its mode of implication in lipid metabolism and development remains to be determined. In order to investigate the biological function of carnitine in Arabidopsis, we initiated a bioinformatic search for enzymes that could be involved in its synthesis in order to obtain mutants with a reduced carnitine content. Serine hydroxymethyl transferases (SHMT), threonine aldolase (THA) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were identified as candidates. A search for mutants, either characterized or in available collections ans an amiRNA mutagenesis approach were carried out. In these mutants, the y-butyrobetaine as carnitine precursor, the carnitine, and carnitine esters were quantified. The THA enzymes do not appear to be involved in the carnitine synthesis and even if a weak mutant of SHMT1 has reduced contents of carnitine and y-butyrobetaine, the involvement of this protein remains to be demonstrated. A study of a knock-out mutant of the ALDH10A8 gene, of knock-down mutants of ALDH10A9 and a functional complementation of a C. albicans ALDH mutant, has confirmed the implication of ALDH10A8 and ALDH10A9 enzymes in the synthesis of y-butyrobetaine within the cartinine biosynthesis pathway. Mutants of the ALDH10 proteins, having significantly reduced carnitine and acyl-carnitine amounts, are now available as tools for studying the role of carnitine in Arabidopsis

Fast Extraction and Detection of 4-Methylimidazole in Soy Sauce Using Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer by HPLC

On the basis of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) solid-phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography, we established a new method for the determination of the 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in soy sauce. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to characterize the synthesized MMIPs. To evaluate the polymers, batch rebinding experiments were carried out. The binding strength and capacity were determined from the derived Freundlich isotherm (FI) equation. The selective recognition capability of MMIPs was investigated with a reference compound and a structurally similar compound. As a selective pre-concentration sorbents for 4-methylimidazole in soy sauce, the MMIPs showed a satisfied recoveries rate of spiked samples, ranged from 97% to 105%. As a result, the prepared MMIPs could be applied to selectively pre-concentrate and determine 4-methylimidazole in soy sauce samples