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This study aimed to explore the predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women who have recently experienced sexual assault, by examining psychological and neurophysiological factors using a prospective design with resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivity. The study enrolled 33 women who had been recently traumatized by sexual assault and conducted assessments within a month of the trauma. These survivors were evaluated for PTSD three months later and were classified into two groups: PTSD positive (n = 12) and PTSD negative (n = 21). They were compared to two control groups comprising women who had not experienced any extremely traumatic events: 25 with depression and 25 healthy controls. The evaluation focused on resting-state EEG functional connectivity within default mode network (DMN) using small-worldness (SW), based on graph theory. We also assessed self-reported levels of depression, anxiety, anger, and executive functions. The findings indicated that survivors who developed PTSD three months post-trauma exhibited higher anxiety levels and reduced DMN SW in the beta 3 frequency, compared to those who did not develop PTSD. Contrary to expectations, survivors without PTSD showed decreased executive functioning and lower prefrontal centrality compared to those with PTSD. This study underscores the importance of early assessment and intervention for sexual assault survivors at risk of developing PTSD. • Neurophysiological alterations occurred in recent sexual assault survivors. • Individuals who developed PTSD afterwards and those who did not showed different EEG functional connectivity patterns immediately after sexual assault. • After sexual assault, individuals with PTSD had reduced small-worldness in the EEG beta default mode network. • Individuals who did not develop PTSD showed decreased EEG functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex immediately after the sexual assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta neutrophil index (DNI), representing an elevated fraction of circulating immature granulocyte in acute infection, has been reported as a useful, predictable marker for mortality in patients with sepsis. We have hypothesized that an increased recipient DNI is associated with poor prognosis in cadaver donor kidney transplantation. We investigated patients undergoing kidney transplantation from cadaver donors from March 2013 to January 2018. Rejection was diagnosed by kidney biopsy with Banff classification and excluded subclinical rejection. In a total of 73 patients undergoing cadaver kidney transplantation, 25 (34.2%) patients were diagnosed with rejection based on the Banff classification. Among them, 11 patients were diagnosed with early rejection. The recipients' postoperative DNI (%) was different between patients with early rejection and patients without rejection (0.18 vs 1.21, P <.001). In the univariate logistic regression analysis, cold ischemic time, donor preoperative last creatinine level, postoperative DNI level, and perioperative infection were predictive of early rejection. However, in a multivariate adjusted logistic regression test, only a high level of DNI (odds ratio 12.307, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–129.82) was associated with early rejection. The C-statistic was 0.777 (95% CI 0.604–0.951, P =.004) for DNI. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the donor's last creatinine level (hazard ratio 2.25, 95% CI 1.26–4.13) and preoperative DNI (hazard ratio 14.02 95% CI 2.62–75.26) were predictors of renal survival. Increased DNI in cadaver donor kidney transplantation recipients might be one of the predictive values of early kidney rejection and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A durable and ready to use 68Ge-68Ga generator column material is required for its routine use in radiopharmaceutical procedures. The present work comprises preliminary studies for development and evaluation of chitosan-TiO 2 based microsphere (C-TOM) composite towards its competence as a column material. The batch uptake studies showed higher distribution coefficients for 68Ge vis-à-vis 68Ga in the complete concentration range of HCl examined (0.01–1 mol.L−1). Furthermore, C-TOM showed enduring physical and chemical stability in 0.01 mol.L−1 HCl with persistent 68Ga elution profiles (>95%) and negligible 68Ge breakthrough (2 × 10−4%) for the preliminary evaluation period of ∼2 months. Overall, the studies indicated that, 68Ga with high radionuclidic purity (≥99.99%) can be eluted routinely in a small volume (∼1.5 mL) of 0.01 mol.L−1 HCl proving its potentials as a novel solid phase extractant for 68Ge/68Ge generator system. Image 1 • Novel approach towards synthesis of chitosan-TiO 2 microsphere (C-TOM). • Superlative physical and chemical stability of C-TOM in 0.01 M HCl. • Separation of 68Ga from 68Ge with high radionuclidic purity. • Consistent 68Ga elution profile with low 68Ge breakthrough. • Possible application of C-TOM as a potential 68Ge/68Ga generator material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the efficacy of the phosphodiesterase type III inhibitor cilostazol in Alzheimer's disease patients with white matter lesions treated with donepezil in comparison with donepezil monotherapy using fluorodeoxyglucose (18F) positron-emission tomography (FDG PET). A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted. Thirty-six Alzheimer's disease patients with white matter lesions who received donepezil (n = 18 each in the cilostazol and placebo groups) were enrolled. Participants underwent pre and post FDG PET imaging scans and three rounds of clinical and neuropsychological tests. The cilostazol group did not show a significant decrease of regional glucose metabolism; however, regional glucose metabolism was significantly decreased in the parietal and frontal lobes of the placebo group. The repeated measures ANOVA measuring differences in uptake change revealed that regional glucose metabolism in the left inferior frontal gyrus was significantly more preserved in the cilostazol group than that in the placebo group (p < 0.005). Mean changes from baseline on the Mini-Mental State Exam, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living Inventory, and the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes did not differ between the two groups. In the cilostazol group, the increase of glucose metabolism correlated with the improvment of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive score. We conclude that cilostazol treatment added to donepezil may delay the decline in regional cerebral metabolism in Alzheimer's disease with white matter lesions compared with donepezil monotherapy. In additon, our results verified the efficacy of cilostazol in improving or protecting cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease through increased glucose metabolism. However, the long-term effect of cilostazol on cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease modification must be tested in further studies with larger sample size and longer study period. Trial registration: http://clinicaltrials.gov : NCT01409564. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We introduced the intraoperative radiological indicator to assess the reduction adequacy without additional procedure or instrument, and propose the optimal syndesmotic screw trajectory.Methods: Thirty adult cadavers (15 males and 15 females) without ankle problems were enrolled and subjected to continuous 0.75 mm-slice computed tomography (CT) scans. CT images were imported into Mimics® software to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) model of ankle. Using free 360° rotations with magnification, the 3D mutual relationships of ankle syndesmosis were assessed, and the fibular congruency of incisura was evaluated to determine the optimal screw trajectory. By reformatting the CT scanning plane along the screw direction, the coronal relation of ankle syndesmosis was evaluated to verify the distance between the adjacent bones.Results: The fibula was placed in the concentric position of fibular incisura in the 20 models (concentric group) and 40 models, in an eccentric position (eccentric group). Despite this variant, all fibulas were changed into the concentric position in the proximal part of syndesmotic footprint, which might be the ideal height for syndesmotic screw in our study. The fibular bisecting screw trajectory associated with the ideal height of screw was parallel to the ground if the tibial tubercle was directed to the superior and nearly vertical to the ground floor (TT view). Through the reformatted scanning plane parallel to the screw, the lateral border of talus was always placed more medial than the lateral border of distal tibia in the coronal image. All models had a perfectly equidistant and parallel joint space except the medial aspect.Conclusion: The lateral border of talus in the TT view was intraoperatively used as the radiological indicator for ankle syndesmosis widening because it was always placed more medial than the lateral border of distal tibia. The optimal syndesmotic screw trajectory was placed around the proximal syndesmotic footprint and parallel to the ground via the TT view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]