Toward a new interdisciplinary model to understand Alzheimer’s disease: The interplay between neurobiology and socio-economic factors

Introduction: In recent years, there has been emerging evidence that air pollution is a chronic source of neuroinflammation, which contributes to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, which are an increasingly common and devastating illness affecting elderly populations. Aim of this paper is to develop a new, interdisciplinary and theoretical model based on neurobiology, sociology of medicine and eco-political science for a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Methods: We carried out a literature review focusing on the following aspects: 1) The causal relationship between PM2.5 (and air pollution) and AD; 2) Regulations and guidelines about air pollution released by organizations across the world; 3) Differences in PM2.5 and educational levels between More Economically Developed Countries (MEDC) and Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDC); 4) Differences of AD incidence between MEDC and LEDC with regard to their levels of social developments. Results: Our interdisciplinary model depicts a pathway through which specific socio-economic factors (poor residential conditions and geographical sites, low educational levels) and environmental factors (i.e. air pollution exposure) interact to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Discussion: According to our model, socio-economically disadvantaged individuals and communities are likely to be at higher risk for AD, compared to those in better living conditions, due to greater likelihood of living by the lower-price housing areas and greater exposure to air pollution, and low educational levels. This suggests that the lower the socio-economic development, the higher the chance of being exposed to the PM2.5. These combined socio-economic determinants may result in a greater likelihood of developing AD. Conclusion: Although our model does not include other well-recognized causes of AD and needs to be tested by further in-depth epidemiological studies, more holistic and realistic views on the current approaches will allow this field to move forward and lead to an improvement to actionable policies

Spontaneous Intraperitoneal Bladder Perforation Associated with Urothelial Carcinoma with Divergent Histologic Differentiation, Diagnosed by CT Cystography

Spontaneous bladder perforation is a very rare event. Prompt diagnosis of this injury is very important, particularly with intraperitoneal perforation, because mortality increases if surgical repair is delayed. Previous studies have reported that plain cystography is the primary modality of imaging study rather than relatively insensitive computed tomography (CT) when bladder perforation is suspected. We report here a rare case of spontaneous intraperitoneal perforation of the bladder associated with urothelial carcinoma with divergent histologic differentiation, as diagnosed with CT cystography

Efficacy of melatonin in term neonatal models of perinatal hypoxia‐ischaemia

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is an important cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is an effective therapy, however not all babies benefit. Novel agents are urgently needed to improve outcomes. Melatonin in preclinical studies has promising neuroprotective properties. This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of melatonin in term animal models of NE on cerebral infarct size, neurobehavioural tests and cell death. METHODS: A literature search was carried out using Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science (31 May 2021). We identified 14 studies and performed a meta-analysis with a random effects model using standardised mean difference (SMD) as the effect size. The risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation tool and publication bias was assessed with funnel plots, and adjusted using trim and fill analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of study design variables. RESULTS: We observed significant reduction in brain infarct size (SMD -2.05, 95% CI [-2.93, -1.16]), improved neurobehavioural outcomes (SMD -0.86, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.53]) and reduction in cell death (SMD -0.60, 95% CI [-1.06, -0.14]) favouring treatment with melatonin. Neuroprotection was evident as a single therapy and combined with HT. Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy with melatonin given before or immediately after injury and with ethanol excipients. The overall effect size remained robust even after adjustment for publication bias. INTERPRETATION: These studies demonstrate a significant neuroprotective efficacy of melatonin in term neonatal models of hypoxia-ischaemia, and suggest melatonin is a strong candidate for translation to clinical trials in babies with moderate-severe NE

Efficacy of melatonin in term neonatal models of perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is an important cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Therapeutic hypothermia (HT) is an effective therapy, however not all babies benefit. Novel agents are urgently needed to improve outcomes. Melatonin in preclinical studies has promising neuroprotective properties. This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of melatonin in term animal models of NE on cerebral infarct size, neurobehavioural tests and cell death. METHODS: A literature search was carried out using Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science (31 May 2021). We identified 14 studies and performed a meta-analysis with a random effects model using standardised mean difference (SMD) as the effect size. The risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation tool and publication bias was assessed with funnel plots, and adjusted using trim and fill analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of study design variables. RESULTS: We observed significant reduction in brain infarct size (SMD -2.05, 95% CI [-2.93, -1.16]), improved neurobehavioural outcomes (SMD -0.86, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.53]) and reduction in cell death (SMD -0.60, 95% CI [-1.06, -0.14]) favouring treatment with melatonin. Neuroprotection was evident as a single therapy and combined with HT. Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy with melatonin given before or immediately after injury and with ethanol excipients. The overall effect size remained robust even after adjustment for publication bias. INTERPRETATION: These studies demonstrate a significant neuroprotective efficacy of melatonin in term neonatal models of hypoxia-ischaemia, and suggest melatonin is a strong candidate for translation to clinical trials in babies with moderate-severe NE

Multiple Epidermoid Cysts Arising from the Extratesticular Scrotal, Spermatic Cord and Perineal Area

An extratesticular scrotal epidermoid cyst is a relatively very rare condition, and an epidermoid cyst arising from the spermatic cord area is extremely rare. We report a case of multiple epidermoid cysts arising from the extratesticular scrotum, spermatic cord, and lower extremities. To our best knowledge, concomitant occurrence of these lesions has not been reported previously in the literature

OCT using spectrally resolved bandwidth

An apparatus is disclosed for studying an object based on at least one of polarization, space, position or angle of light that has reflected from the object. An optical tomographic instrumentation of the apparatus includes a light source coupled to a source path, a sample path, a reference path, and a detection path, wherein the light source generates a spectrally resolved bandwidth. The spectrally resolved bandwidth includes a plurality of spectrally resolved cells and a detector in the detection path for analyzing light reflected from an object in the sample path and the light reflected in the reference path based upon at least one of the polarization, spatial relationship, position or angle domains.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste