Multiscale quantification of morphological heterogeneity with creation of a predictor of longer survival in glioblastoma

Intratumor heterogeneity is a main cause of the dismal prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Yet, there remains a lack of a uniform assessment of the degree of heterogeneity. With a multiscale approach, we addressed the hypothesis that intratumor heterogeneity exists on different levels comprising traditional regional analyses, but also innovative methods including computer-assisted analysis of tumor morphology combined with epigenomic data. With this aim, 157 biopsies of 37 patients with therapy-naive IDH-wildtype GBM were analyzed regarding the intratumor variance of protein expression of glial marker GFAP, microglia marker Iba1 and proliferation marker Mib1. Hematoxylin and eosin stained slides were evaluated for tumor vascularization. For the estimation of pixel intensity and nuclear profiling, automated analysis was used. Additionally, DNA methylation profiling was conducted separately for the single biopsies. Scoring systems were established to integrate several parameters into one score for the four examined modalities of heterogeneity (regional, cellular, pixel-level and epigenomic). As a result, we could show that heterogeneity was detected in all four modalities. Furthermore, for the regional, cellular and epigenomic level, we confirmed the results of earlier studies stating that a higher degree of heterogeneity is associated with poorer overall survival. To integrate all modalities into one score, we designed a predictor of longer survival, which showed a highly significant separation regarding the OS. In conclusion, multiscale intratumor heterogeneity exists in glioblastoma and its degree has an impact on overall survival. In future studies, the implementation of a broadly feasible heterogeneity index should be considered.     

Dry eye in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dry eye is reported to be associated with several neurological diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients with hemiplegia after stroke for dry eye and compare their results with a control group.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia and 45 individuals as the control group were included in the study. Tear function tests (Schirmer and tear breakup time) and a dry eye questionnaire for dry eye symptoms (ocular surface disease index) were performed and the results of the two groups were compared.

Results: Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (11.3 ± 8.2 mm and 20.6 ± 11.6 mm, respectively, p < .001). Tear breakup time results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (7.9 ± 3.1 s and 12.1 ± 4.3 s, respectively, p < .001). Ocular surface disease index scores were not significantly different between hemiplegia and control groups (21.6 ± 20.0 and 19.8 ± 13.9, respectively, p = .635). Schirmer scores lower than 10 mm (60% and 30%, p < .001) and tear breakup time results lower than 10 s (65.6% and 28.9%, p < .001) were also higher in the hemiplegia group compared to control group.

Conclusion: We found lower Schirmer test and tear breakup time results and similar OSDI scores in hemiplegia patients compared to controls. Hemiplegia patients may have dry eye without typical symptoms. This should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.     

Predefined vs data-guided training prescription based on autonomic nervous system variation: A systematic review

Monitoring variations in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system may help personalize training of runners and provide more pronounced physiological adaptations and performance improvements. We systematically reviewed the scientific literature comparing physiological adaptations and/or improvements in performance following training based on responses of the autonomic nervous system (ie, changes in heart rate variability) and predefined training. PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched systematically in July 2019. Keywords related to endurance, running, autonomic nervous system, and training. Studies were included if they (a) involved interventions consisting predominantly of running training; (b) lasted at least 3 weeks; (c) reported pre- and post-intervention assessment of running performance and/or physiological parameters; (d) included an experimental group performing training adjusted continuously on the basis of alterations in HRV and a control group; and (e) involved healthy runners. Five studies involving six interventions and 166 participants fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Four HRV-based interventions reduced the amount of moderate- and/or high-intensity training significantly. In five interventions, improvements in performance parameters (3000 m, 5000 m, Loadmax, Tlim) were more pronounced following HRV-based training. Peak oxygen uptake () and submaximal running parameters (eg, LT1, LT2) improved following both HRV-based and predefined training, with no clear difference in the extent of improvement in . Submaximal running parameters tended to improve more following HRV-based training. Research findings to date have been limited and inconsistent. Both HRV-based and predefined training improve running performance and certain submaximal physiological adaptations, with effects of the former training tending to be greater.     

玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物体内组织分布规律及特征研究

目的：建立UPLC-MS/MS分析方法同时测定玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分新橙皮苷和柚皮苷在大鼠10种脏器组织中含量，分布规律及特征。方法：采用UPLC-MS/MS技术建立提取物效应组分新橙皮苷及柚皮苷在大鼠心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑、胃、小肠、脂质、肌肉组织中的定量分析方法；大鼠给药后分别于0.33，0.67，1，4，8 h的5个时间点，分别摘取以上10种脏器组织，测定脏器组织及血液中效应组分的质量浓度，采用DAS（V 2.0）药动学软件对各样本的药物浓度-时间数据进行房室拟合，并计算不同组织效应组分的药-时曲线下面积（AUC）及平均滞留时间（MRT）。结果：所建立的UPLC-MS/MS定量分析方法具备良好的专属性、标准曲线及线性范围良好、方法准确度与精密度、定量下限均符合有关规定；玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在血液中的分布符合一室模型，除肾脏及脑组织外，其余脏器中提取物效应组分的房室特征多为静脉注射的二室模型，柚皮苷在肾脏中的拟合结果为非静脉注射的二室模型，新橙皮苷在脑组织拟合结果为静脉注射的三室模型，给药后8 h各组织中效应组分新橙皮苷及柚皮苷AUC值大小顺序均为小肠 > 胃 > 肾 > 脂质 ≈ 脾脏 > 肺 > 肌肉 > 肝 > 心 > 脑，效应组分在各脏器中均无明显蓄积；效应组分在血液、肾脏、肝脏中的滞留时间较长，MRT均大于2 h，脂质最短，MRT不足1 h；各脏器中新橙皮苷的药-时曲线下面积约是柚皮苷的3倍，而心、肝、肾中则是3.5，2.1和3.4倍。结论：玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在大鼠组织中分布迅速，达峰时间早于血液；效应组分在肠道内消除缓慢，给药8 h后在各脏器中的含量均显著下降且无特异的蓄积部位。研究结果揭示玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物效应组分在大鼠体内的分布特征及规律，为进一步理解玳玳果黄酮降脂提取物在体内的作用靶点及机制奠定了基础。     

神经源性声带运动障碍与喉神经电生理

声带运动障碍的病因和临床表现复杂多变，涉及多学科，从病因上分为神经源性和非神经源性。对于神经源性声带运动障碍的诊治，首先通过喉镜等检查明确有无声带运动障碍及严重程度，值得注意的是声带纵向张力变化障碍也属于运动障碍的范畴；然后采用喉肌电图（LEMG）检查进行定性分析，在确诊神经源性损伤后，进一步对神经损伤部位进行定位诊断并查找导致神经损伤的病因；同时根据喉部神经电生理评估结果，判断预后。最后综合上述的评估结果制定相应的治疗策略。