Hemispheric association and dissociation of voice and speech information processing in stroke

As we listen to someone speaking, we extract both linguistic and non-linguistic information. Knowing how these two sets of information are processed in the brain is fundamental for the general understanding of social communication, speech recognition and therapy of language impairments. We investigated the pattern of performances in phoneme versus gender categorization in left and right hemisphere stroke patients, and found an anatomo-functional dissociation in the right frontal cortex, establishing a new syndrome in voice discrimination abilities. In addition, phoneme and gender performances were most often associated than dissociated in the left hemisphere patients, suggesting a common neural underpinnings

The impact of islet mass, number of transplants, and time between transplants on graft function in a national islet transplant program

The UK islet allotransplant program is nationally funded to deliver one or two transplants over 12 months to individuals with type 1 diabetes and recurrent severe hypoglycemia. Analyses were undertaken 10 years after program inception to evaluate associations between transplanted mass; single versus two transplants; time between two transplants and graft survival (stimulated C-peptide >50 pmol/L) and function. In total, 84 islet transplant recipients were studied. Uninterrupted graft survival over 12 months was attained in 23 (68%) single and 47 (94%) (p =.002) two transplant recipients (separated by [median (IQR)] 6 (3–8) months). 64% recipients of one or two transplants with uninterrupted function at 12 months sustained graft function at 6 years. Total transplanted mass was associated with Mixed Meal Tolerance Test stimulated C-peptide at 12 months (p <.01). Despite 1.9-fold greater transplanted mass in recipients of two versus one islet infusion (12 218 [9291–15 417] vs. 6442 [5156–7639] IEQ/kg; p <.0001), stimulated C-peptide was not significantly higher. Shorter time between transplants was associated with greater insulin dose reduction at 12 months (beta −0.35; p =.02). Graft survival over the first 12 months was greater in recipients of two versus one islet transplant in the UK program, although function at 1 and 6 years was comparable. Minimizing the interval between 2 islet infusions may maximize cumulative impact on graft function

Characterization of pre-transplant psychosocial burden in an integrated national islet transplant programme

The psychological burden experienced by people with diabetes prior to islet transplantation is recognized but has not been studied comprehensively, especially in relation to glycemia. Therefore, we conducted a rigorous pre-operative psychosocial profile of UK islet transplant recipients, and compared groups with higher/lower HbA1 c to test the null hypothesis that pre-transplant hypoglycemia awareness and psychosocial burden would not be related to baseline HbA1 c in this high-risk cohort. Pre-transplant, recipients (n = 44) completed validated hypoglycemia awareness questionnaires and generic/diabetes-specific measures of psychological traits and states. Scores were compared in groups, dichotomized by HbA1 c (≤8% versus >8%). Participants were aged (mean±SD) 53 ± 10 years; 64% were women; with HbA1 c 8.3 ± 1.7%. Median rate of severe hypoglycemia over the preceding 12 months was 13 events/person-year and 90% had impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (Gold/Clarke score ≥4). Participants had elevated fear of hypoglycemia (HFS-II Worry), impaired diabetes-specific quality of life (DQoL) and low generic health status (SF-36; EQ-5D). One quarter reported scores indicating likely anxiety/depression (HAD). Dispositional optimism (LOT-R) and generalized self-efficacy (GSE) were within published ‘norms.’ Despite negative perceptions of diabetes (including low personal control), participants were confident that islet transplantation would help (BIPQ). Hypoglycemia awareness and psychosocial profile were comparable in lower (n = 24) and higher (n = 20) HbA1 c groups. Islet transplant candidates report sub-optimal generic psychological states (anxiety/depressive symptoms), health status and diabetes-specific psychological states (fear of hypoglycemia, diabetes-specific quality of life). While their generic psychological traits (optimism, self-efficacy) are comparable with the general population, they are highly optimistic about forthcoming transplant. HbA1 c is not a proxy measure of psychosocial burden, which requires the use of validated questionnaires to systematically identify those who may benefit most from psychological assessment and support

Home use of closed loop insulin delivery improves overnight glucose control in adults with type 1 diabetes: A four-week multicentre randomised crossover study

This is the author accepted manuscript and will be embargoed until 16/12/14. The final published version can be found here: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(14)70114-7/fulltext#article_upsell.Background: We assessed whether overnight home use of automated closed loop insulin delivery (artificial pancreas) improves glucose control. Methods: We studied 24 adults with type 1 diabetes in a multicentre crossover study design comparing four weeks of overnight closed loop using a model predictive control algorithm to direct insulin delivery, with four weeks of insulin pump therapy in which participants used real-time display of continuous glucose monitoring independent of their pumps as control. Primary outcome was time when glucose was in the target range of 3•9 and 8•0mmol/l between midnight to 07:00. Analyses were by intention to treat. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01440140. Findings: Closed loop was utilised over median 8•3 (interquartile range 6•0, 9•6)hours on 555nights (86%). Proportion of time when overnight glucose was in target range was significantly higher during closed loop compared to control by 13•5% (95% CI, 7•3-19•7; p<0•001). Mean overnight glucose (8•2±0•9 vs. 9•0±1•3mmol/l; p=0•005) and time spent above target (44•3%±11•9 vs. 57•1%±15•6; p=0•001) were significantly lower during closed loop. Time spent below target was low and comparable [1•8%( 0•6, 3•6) vs. 2•1%(0•7, 3•9);p=0•28]. Lower mean overnight glucose was brought about by increased overnight insulin delivery [6•4 (4•5, 8•1) vs. 4•9 (3•7, 6•3)units;p<0•001) without changing the total daily insulin amount [34•5 (29•3, 48•4) vs. 35•4 (29•7, 45•2)units;p=0•32]. No severe hypoglycaemia episodes occurred during control period and two during closed loop not related to algorithm instructions. Interpretation: Unsupervised overnight closed loop at home is feasible and may improve glucose control in adults with type 1 diabetes

The past, present, and future of the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS)

The Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) is a community-driven standard for the organization of data and metadata from a growing range of neuroscience modalities. This paper is meant as a history of how the standard has developed and grown over time. We outline the principles behind the project, the mechanisms by which it has been extended, and some of the challenges being addressed as it evolves. We also discuss the lessons learned through the project, with the aim of enabling researchers in other domains to learn from the success of BIDS

Hemispheric association and dissociation of voice and speech information processing in stroke

International audienceAs we listen to someone speaking, we extract both linguistic and non-linguistic information. Knowing how these two sets of information are processed in the brain is fundamental for the general understanding of social communication, speech recognition and therapy of language impairments. We investigated the pattern of performances in phoneme versus gender categorization in left and right hemisphere stroke patients, and found an anatomo-functional dissociation in the right frontal cortex, establishing a new syndrome in voice discrimination abilities. In addition, phoneme and gender performances were most often associated than dissociated in the left hemisphere patients, suggesting a common neural underpinnings

Voice Perception Assessment - patient_data

<p>raw data and analysis scripts for stroke patients - the analysis scripts require some custom stats functions from @ https://github.com/CPernet/Robust_Statistical_Toolbox, these are statistical functions based on robust stats</p> <p>data and code are distributed under CC BY license</p

SQING

Study Quality in Neuro Genetic