Embryo selection with artificial intelligence: how to evaluate and compare methods?

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - Embryo selection within in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of evaluating qualities of fertilized oocytes (embryos) and selecting the best...     

Exploring the benefit of synaesthetic colours: Testing for “pop-out” in individuals with grapheme–colour synaesthesia

In grapheme–colour synaesthesia, letters, numbers, and words elicit involuntary colour experiences. Recently, there has been much emphasis on individual differences and possible subcategories of synaesthetes with different underlying mechanisms. In particular, there are claims that for some, synaesthesia occurs prior to attention and awareness of the inducing stimulus. We first characterized our sample using two versions of the “Synaesthetic Congruency Task” to distinguish “projector” and “associator” synaesthetes who may differ in the extent to which their synaesthesia depends on attention and awareness. We then used a novel modification of the “Embedded Figures Task” that included a set-size manipulation to look for evidence of preattentive “pop-out” from synaesthetic colours, at both a group and an individual level. We replicate an advantage for synaesthetes over nonsynaesthetic controls on the Embedded Figures Task in accuracy, but find no support for pop-out of synaesthetic colours. We conclude that grapheme–colour synaesthetes are fundamentally similar in their visual processing to the general population, with the source of their unusual conscious colour experiences occurring late in the cognitive hierarchy.     

Changes in perceived social support and PTSD symptomatology among Danish army military personnel

Purpose

Previous research has identified social support to be associated with risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among military personnel. While the lack of social support influences PTSD symptomatology, it is unknown how changes in perceived social support affect the PTSD symptom level in the aftermath of deployment. Furthermore, the influence of specific sources of social support from pre- to post-deployment on level of PTSD symptoms is unknown. We aim to examine how changes in perceived social support (overall and from specific sources) from pre- to 2.5 year post-deployment are associated with the level of post-deployment PTSD symptoms.

Methods

Danish army military personnel deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2013 completed questionnaires at pre-deployment and at 2.5 year post-deployment measuring perceived social support and PTSD symptomatology and sample characteristics of the two cohorts. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate nominal logistic regression.

Results

Negative changes in perceived social support from pre- to post-deployment were associated with both moderate (OR 1.99, CI 1.51–2.57) and high levels (OR 2.71, CI 1.94–3.78) of PTSD symptoms 2.5 year post-deployment (adjusted analysis). Broadly, the same direction was found for specific sources of social support and level of PTSD symptoms. In the adjusted analyses, pre-deployment perceived social support and military rank moderated the associations.

Conclusions

Deterioration in perceived social support (overall and specific sources) from pre- to 2.5 year post-deployment increases the risk of an elevated level of PTSD symptoms 2.5 year post-deployment.

     

Structural and functional MRI in children with renal disease: First experience

PurposeThis MRI study demonstrates our first clinical experiences with structural and functional evaluation in children with renal dysfunction, and communicates our experience with quantitative measurements of renal function compared to reference values found employing radionucleotides.Material and methodsWe included renal impaired children who were recruited for clinical radioisotopic GFR measurements (n=8). MRI was performed 2 hours after Cr-EDTA measurements and was conducted using a protocol involving both anatomical/structural sequences and a dynamic contrast-enhanced sequence. Data obtained with the dynamic MRI sequence were processed using the graphical Patlak approach to obtain estimates of GFR.ResultsWe were able to characterize the intrarenal configuration (cortex, medulla, pelvicalyceal arrangement) in all cases. Functional analyses of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI revealed an overall underestimation of GFR measured by MRI compared to Cr-EDTPA measures (range: ?2% to ?43%).ConclusionsWe advocate the use of MRI as a single-modality approach in the structural and functional evaluation of impaired kidneys in children, and concurrently, we presented a clinically available strategy for estimations of renal cortical volume and single kidney function. However, the use of MRI contrast agents have recently become controversial in renal patients due to the risk of NSF.     

Kidney biopsies can be used for estimations of glomerular number and volume: a pig study

In this study, we wanted to evaluate the use of kidney biopsies for estimation of N(glom) and V(glom) in both healthy and chronically diseased kidneys. Danish Landrace pigs with mean weight of 29 kg (range: 25–35 kg) were either subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) or non-obstruction (healthy). N(glom) and V(glom) was estimated by design-based methods using biopsies, N(glom)^biopsy and V(glom)^biopsy. From each kidney, six biopsies were withdrawn at six topographically different sites. All estimates were done following stereological principles and reference methods estimated number with the physical fractionator, N(glom)^PF, and volume with test point system, V(glom)^TPS. N(glom)^PF was for UUO kidneys and for healthy kidneys. N(glom)^biopsy was (p > 0.05) for UUO and (p = 0.04) for healthy kidneys. When UUO and healthy kidneys were grouped, N(glom)^PF was , and N(glom)^biopsy was (p > 0.05). V(glom)^TPS was 1,079 ± 126 mm³ for UUO and 1,707 ± 263 mm³ for healthy kidneys. V(glom)^biopsy was 1,048 ± 291 mm³ for UUO (p > 0.05) and 1,373 ± 393 mm³ for healthy kidneys (p > 0.05). When UUO and healthy kidneys were grouped, V(glom)^TPS was 1,180 ± 229 mm³ and V(glom)^biopsy 1,129 ± 334 mm³ (p > 0.05). Biopsy sites were tested for any systematic differences between site- and mean values, and no significant difference was found (p > 0.05). This study showed that biopsies can be used for estimating N(glom) and V(glom) by design-based methods, but more precise determination of biopsy volume is needed.     

Staging N0 oral cancer: lymphoscintigraphy and conventional imaging

PURPOSE: To compare sentinel lymph node biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Doppler ultrasonography, and palpation as staging tools in patients with T1/T2 N0 cancer of the oral cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients were enrolled (17 F and 23 M, aged 32-90 years), 24 T1 and 16 T2 cN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Palpation was carried out by two observers prior to inclusion. MRI, gray-scale and Doppler ultrasonography were performed. Lymphoscintigraphies were done after peritumoral injections of 99mTc labelled rheniumsulphide nanocolloid, followed by sentinel lymph node biopsy guided by a gamma probe and Patent Blue. Palpation, Doppler ultrasonography, MRI, and sentinel lymph node biopsy were compared to a combination of histopathology and follow-up. Diagnostic testing was performed using the x2 test. RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed metastatic spread to the neck in 14 of 40 patients. One patient had bilateral neck disease. Sentinel lymph node biopsy and ultrasonography were performed in 80 neck sides of 40 patients and MRI in 70 neck sides (5 patients were claustrophobic). SN revealed suspicious lymph nodes in 12 necks, ultrasonography in 23 necks, and MRI in 9 necks. The positive predictive value of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 100%, ultrasonography 57%, and MRI 56%. The respective negative predictive values were 96%, 96%, and 85%. The sensitivity of sentinel lymph node biopsy 80% was comparable to ultrasonography 87%, but the sensitivity of MRI 36% was low. The specificities were 100%, 85%, and 93%, respectively. By combined sentinel lymph node biopsy and ultrasonography the overall sensitivity could have been 100%. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy improved staging of patients with small N0 oral cancers. Combined sentinel lymph node biopsy and Doppler ultrasonography may further improve staging. MRI and simple palpation results were poor.     

Glucose effectiveness,but not insulin sensitivity,is improved after short-term interval training in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a controlled,randomised, crossover trial

Aims/hypothesis

The role of glucose effectiveness (S _G) in training-induced improvements in glucose metabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes is unknown. The objectives and primary outcomes of this study were: (1) to assess the efficacy of interval walking training (IWT) and continuous walking training (CWT) on S _G and insulin sensitivity (S _I) in individuals with type 2 diabetes; and (2) to assess the association of changes in S _G and S _I with changes in glycaemic control.

Methods

Fourteen participants with type 2 diabetes underwent three trials (IWT, CWT and no training) in a crossover study. Exclusion criteria were exogenous insulin treatment, smoking, pregnancy, contraindications to structured physical activity and participation in recurrent training (>90 min/week). The trials were performed in a randomised order (computerised-generated randomisation). IWT and CWT consisted of ten supervised treadmill walking sessions, each lasting 60 min, over 2 weeks. IWT was performed as repeated cycles of 3 min slow walking and 3 min fast walking (aiming for 54% and 89% of \( \overset{\cdotp }{V}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{peak}} \), respectively, which was measured during the last minute of each interval), and CWT was performed aiming for a moderate walking speed (73% of \( \overset{\cdot }{V}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{peak}} \)). A two-step (pancreatic and hyperinsulinaemic) hyperglycaemic clamp was implemented before and after each trial. All data were collected in a hospitalised setting. Neither participants nor assessors were blinded to the trial interventions.

Results

Thirteen individuals completed all procedures and were included in the analyses. IWT improved S _G (mean ± SEM: 0.6 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1 min^?1, p < 0.05) but not S _I (p > 0.05), whereas CWT matched for energy expenditure and time duration improved neither S _G nor S _I (both p > 0.05). Changes in S _G, but not in S _I, were associated with changes in mean (β = ?0.62 ± 0.23, r ² = 0.17, p < 0.01) and maximum (β = ?1.18 ± 0.52, r ² = 0.12, p < 0.05) glucose levels during 24 h continuous glucose monitoring.

Conclusions/interpretation

Two weeks of IWT, but not CWT, improves S _G but not S _I in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, changes in S _G are associated with changes in glycaemic control. Therefore, increased S _G is likely an important mechanism by which training improves glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02320526

Funding:

CFAS is supported by a grant from TrygFonden. During the study period, the Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism (CIM) was supported by a grant from the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF55). The study was further supported by grants from Diabetesforeningen, Augustinusfonden and Krista og Viggo Petersens Fond. CIM/CFAS is a member of DD2—the Danish Center for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes (the Danish Council for Strategic Research, grant no. 09–067009 and 09–075724).