Combining MRI and clinical data to detect high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis

Detecting patients at high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis (HRR-FEP) could help the clinician adjust the preventive treatment. To develop a tool to detect patients at HRR using their baseline clinical and structural MRI, we followed 227 patients with FEP for 18–24 months and applied MRIPredict. We previously optimized the MRI-based machine-learning parameters (combining unmodulated and modulated gray and white matter and using voxel-based ensemble) in two independent datasets. Patients estimated to be at HRR-FEP showed a substantially increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio = 4.58, P < 0.05). Accuracy was poorer when we only used clinical or MRI data. We thus show the potential of combining clinical and MRI data to detect which individuals are more likely to relapse, who may benefit from increased frequency of visits, and which are unlikely, who may be currently receiving unnecessary prophylactic treatments. We also provide an updated version of the MRIPredict software

Performance of the Access Bio/CareStart rapid diagnostic test for the detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

International audienceBackground: To reduce the risk of drug-induced haemolysis, all patients should be tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G6PDd) prior to prescribing primaquine (PQ)-based radical cure for the treatment of vivax malaria. This systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis assessed the utility of a qualitative lateral flow assay from Access Bio/CareStart (Somerset, NJ) (CareStart Screening test for G6PD deficiency) for the diagnosis of G6PDd compared to the gold standard spectrophotometry (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO]: CRD42019110994).Methods and findings: Articles published on PubMed between 1 January 2011 and 27 September 2019 were screened. Articles reporting performance of the standard CSG from venous or capillary blood samples collected prospectively and considering spectrophotometry as gold standard (using kits from Trinity Biotech PLC, Wicklow, Ireland) were included. Authors of articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were contacted to contribute anonymized individual data. Minimal data requested were sex of the participant, CSG result, spectrophotometry result in U/gHb, and haemoglobin (Hb) reading. The adjusted male median (AMM) was calculated per site and defined as 100% G6PD activity. G6PDd was defined as an enzyme activity of less than 30%. Pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity, unconditional negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were calculated comparing CSG results to spectrophotometry using a random-effects bivariate model.Of 11 eligible published articles, individual data were available from 8 studies, 6 from Southeast Asia, 1 from Africa, and 1 from the Americas. A total of 5,815 individual participant data (IPD) were available, of which 5,777 results (99.3%) were considered for analysis, including data from 3,095 (53.6%) females. Overall, the CSG had a pooled sensitivity of 0.96 (95% CI 0.90–0.99) and a specificity of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92–0.96). When the prevalence of G6PDd was varied from 5% to 30%, the unconditional NPV was 0.99 (95% CI 0.94–1.00), with an LR+ and an LR− of 18.23 (95% CI 13.04–25.48) and 0.05 (95% CI 0.02–0.12), respectively.Performance was significantly better in males compared to females (p = 0.027) but did not differ significantly between samples collected from capillary or venous blood (p = 0.547). Limitations of the study include the lack of wide geographical representation of the included data and that the CSG results were generated under research conditions, and therefore may not reflect performance in routine settings.Conclusions: The CSG performed well at the 30% threshold. Its high NPV suggests that the test is suitable to guide PQ treatment, and the high LR+ and low LR− render the test suitable to confirm and exclude G6PDd. Further operational studies are needed to confirm the utility of the test in remote endemic setting

Development of a sensor to quantify lactic acid in beer

The determination of lactic acid in beer is a crucial quality parameter.Increase the product's shelf life and hinders the growth of spoilage bacteria such as salmonella. The analysis of this parameter is indispensable in production lines and the use of a biosensor could potentially simplify the process. An enzymatic sensor utilizing lactate oxidase (LacOx) was optimized for determining lactic acid content in beer. The sensor immobilized the enzyme with an oxygen electrode. LacOx from Pediococcus sp was used in this study, with a voltage of −600 mV. An amperometric signal was obtained, and the signal was recorded at 5 s due to oxygen depletion during lactic acid oxidation. The reaction rate was then correlated to the lactic acid content. A linear relationship was found between consumed as a function of time (mg O2/L x s) and lactic acid concentration in the range of 10 and 2700 µM, with a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.9947. The immobilized enzyme sensor showed a high sensitivity of 0.01 mM and was stable enough to allow the reutilization of the membranes up to 25 times without loss of activity, were 90 % of its initial activity remained after for 50 days. This system showed good specificity (KM = 450 µM). The correlation, validated through the use of the same linear range using reference method High -performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), establishes that is viable alternative to quantify lactic acid in various beer types

Impact of previous tobacco use with or without cannabis on first psychotic experiences in patients with first-episode psychosis

Objective: There is high prevalence of cigarette smoking in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) prior to psychosis onset. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of previous tobacco use with or without cannabis on first psychotic experiences in FEP and the impact of this use on age of onset of symptoms, including prodromes. Methods: Retrospective analyses from the naturalistic, longitudinal, multicentre, "Phenotype-Genotype and Environmental Interaction. Application of a Predictive Model in First Psychotic Episodes (PEPs)" Study. The authors analysed sociodemographic/clinical data of 284 FEP patients and 231 matched healthy controls, and evaluated first psychotic experiences of patients using the Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia Inventory. Results: FEP patients had significantly higher prevalence of tobacco, cannabis, and cocaine use than controls. The FEP group with tobacco use only prior to onset (N = 56) had more sleep disturbances (42.9% vs 18.8%, P = 0.003) and lower prevalence of negative symptoms, specifically social withdrawal (33.9% vs 58%, P = 0.007) than FEP with no substance use (N = 70), as well as lower prevalence of ideas of reference (80.4% vs 92.4%, P = 0.015), perceptual abnormalities (46.4% vs 67.4%, P = 0.006), hallucinations (55.4% vs 71.5%, P = 0.029), and disorganised thinking (41.1% vs 61.1%, P = 0.010) than FEP group with previous tobacco and cannabis use (N = 144). FEP patients with cannabis and tobacco use had lower age at first prodromal or psychotic symptom (mean = 23.73 years [SD = 5.09]) versus those with tobacco use only (mean = 26.21 [SD = 4.80]) (P = 0.011). Conclusions: The use of tobacco alone was not related to earlier age of onset of a first psychotic experience, but the clinical profile of FEP patients is different depending on previous tobacco use with or without cannabis

A prescrição semanal de sulfato ferroso pode ser altamente efetiva para reduzir níveis endêmicos de anemia na infância Long-term preventive mass prescription of weekly doses of iron sulfate may be highly effective to reduce endemic child anemia

A anemia por deficiência de ferro em crianças é um dos maiores problemas nutricionais enfrentados pelos países em desenvolvimento. Estudos controlados indicam que doses intermitentes de sais de ferro podem ter eficácia semelhante à obtida com o esquema tradicional diário. O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar, em uma população onde a anemia na infância é endêmica, a efetividade da prescrição preventiva de doses semanais de sulfato ferroso a todas as crianças entre seis e 59 meses de idade por um período de seis meses. Crianças dos grupos controle e intervenção foram selecionadas a partir de uma amostra aleatória da população de crianças da cidade de São Paulo. Os pais das crianças do grupo intervenção receberam orientação nutricional e frascos de solução de sulfato ferroso com a instrução de ofertá-la aos filhos uma vez por semana até a próxima visita da equipe de pesquisa, que ocorreria em aproximadamente seis meses. Os pais das crianças do grupo controle receberam somente orientação nutricional. O efeito da intervenção foi avaliado por mudanças na concentração da hemoglobina e na prevalência de anemia. As comparações entre os dois grupos foram baseadas na "intenção-de-tratar" e todas as estimativas foram ajustadas para concentração inicial de hemoglobina, idade inicial, duração do seguimento e renda familiar. O ganho médio de hemoglobina devido à intervenção foi de 4,0 g/l e a queda na prevalência de anemia foi de mais de 50%. A intervenção foi particularmente eficiente em prevenir o declínio da concentração de hemoglobina durante os dois primeiros anos de vida. Esse estudo demonstra que, em condições similares àquelas que poderiam facilmente ser reproduzidas por programas regulares de saúde pública, a prescrição universal de doses semanais de sulfato ferroso reduz significativamente o risco de anemia na infância.<br>Iron-deficiency anemia in children remains one of the most important nutritional problems faced by developing countries. Well-controlled efficacy studies show that intermittent iron supplementation can improve children's iron status as well as the traditional daily schedule. This gives new impetus to controlling child anemia by weekly preventive iron supplementation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term preventive provision of weekly doses of iron sulfate to all children from 6 to 59 months of age, in a child population in which anemia is highly prevalent. Children from both the intervention and control groups were selected from a random cross-sectional sample of the child population of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Parents in the intervention group were visited in their homes and received nutrition education plus a solution of iron sulfate with the request to give it to their children once a week until a follow-up visit occurred in approximately six months. Parents in the control group received only nutrition education. The effect of the intervention was assessed by changes in hemoglobin concentration and the prevalence of anemia. Comparisons between the two groups were made based on an intention-to-treat approach, and all estimates were adjusted for initial hemoglobin concentration, initial age, total duration of follow-up and family income. The average hemoglobin gain due to the intervention was 4.0 g/l, with a fall of more than 50% in the prevalence of anemia among the children. The intervention was particularly effective in preventing declines in hemoglobin concentration during the first two years of life. This study demonstrates that long-term preventive weekly iron supplementation for preschool children significantly reduces the risk of anemia under conditions similar to those possible in routine public health programs

Oxigenoterapia inalatória em pacientes pediátricos internados em hospital universitário Oxygen inhalation therapy in children admitted to an university hospital

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso da oxigenoterapia inalatória em crianças internadas em hospital universitário. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de crianças atendidas no Pronto-Socorro Pediátrico do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu e que receberam oxigenoterapia durante a internação, de maio a setembro de 2005. Indicou-se oxigenoterapia se saturação de oxigênio inferior a 90% e frequência respiratória elevada para idade. Crianças em uso crônico de oxigênio ou com necessidade de ventilação mecânica foram excluídas. Foram avaliados: sintomas respiratórios, diagnósticos clínicos, saturação de oxigênio, método e tempo de oxigenoterapia e responsável pela prescrição. RESULTADOS: Foram atendidas 8.709 crianças no pronto-socorro, sendo que 2.769 (32%) apresentaram doenças respiratórias e 97 necessitaram de internação na enfermaria. Destas, 62 (64%) receberam oxigenoterapia. Das 62 crianças, 37 eram do sexo masculino e a idade variou de 2 meses a 14 anos (mediana: 8 meses). A causa de hipóxia foi pneumonia em 52 crianças (84%), asma em cinco, bronquiolite em quatro e traqueomalácia em uma. As prescrições de oxigenoterapia foram feitas por médicos, com monitoração de saturação de oxigênio por oxímetro de pulso. O tempo mediano de administração de O2 foi 6 dias e o cateter nasal foi usado em 94% dos casos, sendo raro o uso de máscaras ou capuz de oxigênio. CONCLUSÕES: A oxigenoterapia inalatória foi mais frequente em crianças com menor idade e em pacientes com pneumonia, sendo sua indicação compatível com critérios internacionais. O uso do cateter nasal mostrou-se seguro, simples, efetivo e de baixo custo.<br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inalatory oxygen therapy in children admitted to a university hospital. METHODS: Prospective study of children assisted at the Emergency Room of the University Hospital of Botucatu Medical School and submitted to oxygen therapy during hospitalization, from May to September 2005. Criteria for oxygen therapy were oxygen saturation less than 90% and high respiratory rate for age. Children in chronic use of oxygen or in need of mechanical ventilation were excluded. The following data were analysed: clinical respiratory symptoms, clinical diagnosis, oxygen saturation, methods, duration and who made the prescription of oxygen therapy. RESULTS: Out of 8,709 children admitted to the emergency room, 2,769 (32%) had respiratory tract diseases and 97 needed hospitalization. From these, 62 (64%) were submitted to oxygen therapy (37 males; 2 months to 14 years old). Pneumonia was the cause of hypoxemia in 52 children (84%), asthma in five, bronchiolitis in four and tracheomalacia in one. Oxygen therapy was prescribed by physicians, with daily observation and monitoring of oxygen saturation by pulse oxymetry. The median time of oxigen use was 6 days and nasal catheters were used in 94% of children, Facial masks or hoods were rarely prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Inalatory oxygen therapy was more frequently used in younger patients and in children with pneumonia. Its prescriptions followed international criteria. Nasal catheter seemed to be safe, simple, effective and an inexpensive method of oxygen delivery

Elevated Extracellular Free-Water in a Multicentric First-Episode Psychosis Sample, Decrease During the First 2 Years of Illness.

Recent diffusion imaging studies using free-water (FW) elimination have shown increased FW in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and lower corrected fractional anisotropy (FAt) in WM in chronic schizophrenia. However, little is known about the longitudinal stability and clinical significance of these findings. To determine tissue-specific FW and FAt abnormalities in FEP, as part of a multicenter Spanish study, 132 FEP and 108 healthy controls (HC) were clinically characterized and underwent structural and diffusion-weighted MRI scanning. FEP subjects were classified as schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) or non-SSD. Of these subjects, 45 FEP and 41 HC were longitudinally assessed and rescanned after 2 years. FA and FW tissue-specific measurements were cross-sectional and longitudinally compared between groups using voxel-wise analyses in the skeletonized WM and vertex-wise analyses in the GM surface. SSD and non-SSD subjects showed (a) higher baseline FW in temporal regions and in whole GM average (P.adj(SSD vs HC) = .003, P.adj(Non-SSD vs HC) = .040) and (b) lower baseline FAt in several WM tracts. SSD, but not non-SSD, showed (a) higher FW in several WM tracts and in whole WM (P.adj(SSD vs HC)= .049) and (b) a significant FW decrease over time in temporal cortical regions and in whole GM average (P.adj = .011). Increased extracellular FW in the brain is a reliable finding in FEP, and in SSD appears to decrease over the early course of the illness. FAt abnormalities are stable during the first years of psychosis

Correction: Quantification of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity by spectrophotometry: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003084.]