322 research outputs found
LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies
We extend the classical LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar
families of points to chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint
convex bodies: a map \c{hi} on the set of 3-subsets of a finite set I is a
chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies if and
only if for every 3-, 4-, and 5-subset J of I the restriction of \c{hi} to the
set of 3-subsets of J is a chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise
disjoint convex bodies. Our main tool is the polarity map, i.e., the map that
assigns to a convex body the set of lines missing its interior, from which we
derive the key notion of arrangements of double pseudolines, introduced for the
first time in this paper.Comment: 100 pages, 73 figures; accepted manuscript versio
Association of plasma Aβ40/Aβ42 ratio and brain Aβ accumulation: testing a whole-brain PLS-VIP in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease
Molecular and brain regional/network-wise pathophysiological changes at preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have primarily been found through knowledge-based studies conducted in late-stage mild cognitive impairment/dementia populations. However, such an approach may compromise the objective of identifying the earliest spatial-temporal pathophysiological processes.
We investigated 261 individuals with subjective memory complaints, a condition at increased risk of AD, to test a whole-brain, non-a-priori method based on partial least squares, in unraveling the association between plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and an extensive set of brain regions characterized through molecular imaging of Aβ accumulation and cortical metabolism. Significant associations were mapped onto large-scale networks, identified through an atlas and by knowledge, to elaborate on the reliability of the results.
Plasma Aβ42/40 ratio was associated with Aβ-PET uptake (but not FDG-PET) in regions generally investigated in preclinical AD such as those belonging to the default mode network, but also in regions/networks normally not accounted - including the central executive and salience networks - which likely have a selective vulnerability to incipient Aβ accumulation.
The present whole-brain approach is promising to investigate early pathophysiological changes of AD to fully capture the complexity of the disease, which is essential to develop timely screening, detection, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions
Phthalates Impair Germ Cell Development in the Human Fetal Testis in Vitro without Change in Testosterone Production
Age and sex impact plasma NFL and t-Tau trajectories in individuals with subjective memory complaints: a 3-year follow-up study
BACKGROUND: Plasma neurofilament light (NFL) and total Tau (t-Tau) proteins are candidate biomarkers for early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The impact of biological factors on their plasma concentrations in individuals with subjective memory complaints (SMC) has been poorly explored. We longitudinally investigate the effect of sex, age, APOE ε4 allele, comorbidities, brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and cognitive scores on plasma NFL and t-Tau concentrations in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC, a condition associated with AD development. METHODS: Three hundred sixteen and 79 individuals, respectively, have baseline and three-time point assessments (at baseline, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up) of the two biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers were measured with an ultrasensitive assay in a mono-center cohort (INSIGHT-preAD study). RESULTS: We show an effect of age on plasma NFL, with women having a higher increase of plasma t-Tau concentrations compared to men, over time. The APOE ε4 allele does not affect the biomarker concentrations while plasma vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with higher plasma t-Tau concentrations. Both biomarkers are correlated and increase over time. Baseline NFL is related to the rate of Aβ deposition at 2-year follow-up in the left-posterior cingulate and the inferior parietal gyri. Baseline plasma NFL and the rate of change of plasma t-Tau are inversely associated with cognitive score. CONCLUSION: We find that plasma NFL and t-Tau longitudinal trajectories are affected by age and female sex, respectively, in SMC individuals. Exploring the influence of biological variables on AD biomarkers is crucial for their clinical validation in blood
Plasma β-secretase1 concentrations correlate with basal forebrain atrophy and neurodegeneration in cognitively healthy individuals at risk for AD
BACKGROUND: Increased β-secretase 1 (BACE1) protein concentration, in body fluids, is a candidate biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD).We reported that plasma BACE1 protein concentrations are associated with the levels of brain amyloidβ (Αβ) accumulation in cognitively healthy individuals with subjective memory complaint (SMC). METHODS: In 302 individuals from the same cohort, we investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between plasma BACE1 protein concentrations and AD biomarkers of neurodegeneration (plasma t-tau and Neurofilament light chain (NfL), fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), brain volumes in the basal forebrain [BF], hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex). RESULTS: We report a positive longitudinal correlation of BACE1 with both NfL and t-tau, as well as a correlation between annual BACE1 changes and bi-annual reduction of BF volume. We show a positive association between BACE1 and FDG-PET signal at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The association between plasma BACE1 protein concentrations and BF atrophy we found in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC corroborates translational studies, suggesting a role of BACE1 in neurodegeneration
Computing pseudotriangulations via branched coverings
We describe an efficient algorithm to compute a pseudotriangulation of a
finite planar family of pairwise disjoint convex bodies presented by its
chirotope. The design of the algorithm relies on a deepening of the theory of
visibility complexes and on the extension of that theory to the setting of
branched coverings. The problem of computing a pseudotriangulation that
contains a given set of bitangent line segments is also examined.Comment: 66 pages, 39 figure
Follow-up after radiological intervention in oncology: ECIO-ESOI evidence and consensus-based recommendations for clinical practice
Interventional radiology plays an important and increasing role in cancer treatment. Follow-up is important to be able
to assess treatment success and detect locoregional and distant recurrence and recommendations for follow-up are
needed. At ECIO 2018, a joint ECIO-ESOI session was organized to establish follow-up recommendations for oncologic
intervention in liver, renal, and lung cancer. Treatments included thermal ablation, TACE, and TARE. In total five topics
were evaluated: ablation in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), TARE in CRLM, TACE and TARE in HCC, ablation in renal
cancer, and ablation in lung cancer. Evaluated modalities were FDG-PET-CT, CT, MRI, and (contrast-enhanced)
ultrasound. Prior to the session, five experts were selected and performed a systematic review and presented
statements, which were voted on in a telephone conference prior to the meeting by all panelists. These statements
were presented and discussed at the ECIO-ESOI session at ECIO 2018. This paper presents the recommendations that
followed from these initiatives. Based on expert opinions and the available evidence, follow-up schedules were
proposed for liver cancer, renal cancer, and lung cancer. FDG-PET-CT, CT, and MRI are the recommended modalities,
but one should beware of false-positive signs of residual tumor or recurrence due to inflammation early after the
intervention. There is a need for prospective preferably multicenter studies to validate new techniques and new
response criteria. This paper presents recommendations that can be used in clinical practice to perform the follow-up
of patients with liver, lung, and renal cancer who were treated with interventional locoregional therapies
Towards indicative baseline and decarbonization pathways for embodied life cycle GHG emissions of buildings across Europe
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