Predicting cognitive decline using neuropsychiatric symptoms in prodromal Lewy body dementia: A longitudinal study

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Lewy body dementias (LBD) occur frequently and early in disease progression. Such symptoms are associated with worse quality of life, caregiver burden and functional limitations. Limited evidence exists, however, outlining the longitudinal relationship between NPS and cognitive decline in prodromal LBD. Methods: 123 participants were derived from three cohort studies. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) relating to probable dementia with Lewy bodies (MCI-LB, n = 67) and Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI, n = 56) completed comprehensive cognitive and neuropsychiatric assessment and were followed up longitudinally. Linear regression and mixed effects models assessed the relationship between baseline NPS and cognition at baseline and over time. Results: In MCI-LB, overall NPS burden was associated with declines over time in executive function (p = 0.026) and processing speed (p = 0.028) and baseline aberrant motor behaviour was associated with declines in attention (p < 0.025). Anxiety was significantly associated with poorer visuospatial functioning (p = 0.016) at baseline and poorer attention both at baseline (p = 0.017) and across time points (p = 0.024). In PD-MCI, psychosis was associated with poorer executive functioning at baseline (p = 0.008) and across time points (p = 0.002) but had no association with changes longitudinally. Conclusions: Core neuropsychiatric components of LBD are not strongly associated with cognition in prodromal disease. This may suggest that neuropathological mechanisms underlying NPS may not be the same as those underlying cognitive impairment. Non-core NPS, however, may be more directly associated with cognitive change. Future studies utilising neuroimaging techniques are needed to explore the neuropathological basis of NPS in prodromal LBD

Segmentation of the C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum in magnetic resonance images

The C57BL mouse is the centerpiece of efforts to use gene-targeting technology to understand cerebellar pathology, thus creating a need for a detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlas of the cerebellum of this strain. In this study we present a methodology for systematic delineation of the vermal and hemispheric lobules of the C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum in magnetic resonance images. We have successfully delineated 38 cerebellar and cerebellar-related structures. The higher signal-to-noise ratio achieved by group averaging facilitated the identification of anatomical structures. In addition, we have calculated average region volumes and created probabilistic maps for each structure. The segmentation method and the probabilistic maps we have created will provide a foundation for future studies of cerebellar disorders using transgenic mouse models

Microneurosurgical Anastomoses for Cerebral Ischemia [Contents]

From jacket: The purpose of this volume is to present a series of important papers on the rapidly growing surgical field of microneurosurgical anastomoses for cerebral ischemia. It includes papers on the indications and results of microneurosurgical bypass anastomoses; on the techniques used to study patients before and after surgery, including cerebral blood flow psychometic testing, etc.; and on the basic mechanisms of cerebral ischemia studies in animals. New ideas are suggested for techniques involving increased use of the occipital arteries and the development of vein, arterial, or prosthetic grafts in place of the STA (superficial temporal artery). Also discussed are the importance of measuring blood flow in the STA where possible, and the measurement of cerebral blood flow pre- and postoperatively to monitor the results. Psychometric studies are shown to be of importance pre- and postoperatively in addition to careful neurologic evaluation

Time to Switch to Second-line Antiretroviral Therapy in Children With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Europe and Thailand.

Background: Data on durability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are limited. We assessed time to switch to second-line therapy in 16 European countries and Thailand. Methods: Children aged <18 years initiating combination ART (≥2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs] plus nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI] or boosted protease inhibitor [PI]) were included. Switch to second-line was defined as (i) change across drug class (PI to NNRTI or vice versa) or within PI class plus change of ≥1 NRTI; (ii) change from single to dual PI; or (iii) addition of a new drug class. Cumulative incidence of switch was calculated with death and loss to follow-up as competing risks. Results: Of 3668 children included, median age at ART initiation was 6.1 (interquartile range (IQR), 1.7-10.5) years. Initial regimens were 32% PI based, 34% nevirapine (NVP) based, and 33% efavirenz based. Median duration of follow-up was 5.4 (IQR, 2.9-8.3) years. Cumulative incidence of switch at 5 years was 21% (95% confidence interval, 20%-23%), with significant regional variations. Median time to switch was 30 (IQR, 16-58) months; two-thirds of switches were related to treatment failure. In multivariable analysis, older age, severe immunosuppression and higher viral load (VL) at ART start, and NVP-based initial regimens were associated with increased risk of switch. Conclusions: One in 5 children switched to a second-line regimen by 5 years of ART, with two-thirds failure related. Advanced HIV, older age, and NVP-based regimens were associated with increased risk of switch

Investigation of power reduction using asynchronous circuits on SOI

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Multiple linear regression values for all outcome and predictor variables.

Multiple linear regression values for all outcome and predictor variables.</p

List of all diagnoses–including a breakdown of others.

(TIF)</p

Mean values and standard deviations for all outcome and predictor variables.

Mean values and standard deviations for all outcome and predictor variables.</p

Participants chronic pain diagnostic information.

Participants chronic pain diagnostic information.</p

Reduction of Parasitic Capacitance in Vertical MOSFETs by Spacer Local Oxidation

Application of double gate or surround-gate vertical metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) is hindered by the parasitic overlap capacitance associated with their oayout, which is considerably larger than for a lateral MOSFET on the same technology node. A simple self-aligned procfess has been developed to reduce the parasitic overlap capacitance in MOSFETs using nitride spacers on the sidewalls of the trench or pillar and a local oxidation. This will result in an oxide layer on all exposed planar surfaces, but no oxide layer on the protected vertical channel area of the pillar. The encroachment of the oxide on the side of the pillar is studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)which is used to calibrate the nitride viscosity in the process simulations. Surround gate vertical transistors incorporating the spacer oxidation have been fabricated, and these transistors show the integrity of the process and excellent subthreshold slope and drive current. The reduction in intrinsic capacitance is calculated to be a factor of three. Pillar capacitors with a more advanced process have been fabricated and the total measured capacitance is reduced by a factor of five compared with structures without the spacer oxidation. Device simulations confirm the measured reduction in capacitance