2,436 results on '"Balasa A"'
Search Results
2. Guillain–Barré and Acute Transverse Myelitis Overlap Syndrome Following Obstetric Surgery
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Stoian Adina, Motataianu Anca, Bajko Zoltan, and Balasa Adrian
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guillain–barré syndrome ,acute transverse myelitis ,obstetric surgery ,tetraparesis ,intravenous immunoglobulins ,therapeutic plasma exchange ,Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid ,RC86-88.9 - Abstract
There are rare reports of the occurrence of acute transverse myelitis and Guillain–Barré syndrome after various surgical procedures and general/epidural anaesthesia. The concomitant occurrence of these pathologies is very rare and is called Guillain–Barré and acute transverse myelitis overlap syndrome. In this article, we present the case of a second trimester pregnant patient who developed Guillain–Barré and acute transverse myelitis overlap syndrome.
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- 2020
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3. Progress in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease Is Needed – Position Statement of European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC) Investigators
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Jessen, Frank, Kramberger, M. G., Angioni, D., Aarsland, D., Balasa, M., Bennys, K., Boada, M., Boban, M., Chincarini, A., Exalto, L., Felbecker, A., Fliessbach, K., Frisoni, G. B., Garza-Martínez, A. J., Grimmer, T., Hanseeuw, B., Hort, J., Ivanoiu, A., Klöppel, S., Krajcovicova, L., McGuinness, B., Mecocci, P., de Mendonca, A., Nous, A., Ousset, P.-J., Paquet, C., Perneczky, R., Peters, O., Tabuas-Pereira, M., Piazza, F., Plantone, D., Riverol, M., Ruiz, A., Sacco, G., Santana, I., Scarmeas, N., Solje, E., Stefanova, E., Sutovsky, S., van der Flier, W., Welsh, T., Wimo, A., Winblad, B., Frölich, L., and Engelborghs, S.
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- 2024
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4. Predation risk of caterpillar prey is shaped by arthropods and urbanisation in an urban-agricultural landscape: a common garden experiment
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Roquero, Jirriza O., Lidasan, Asraf K., Balasa, Navel Kyla B., Agduma, Angelo R., Casim, Lothy F., Ele, Renee Jane A., and Tanalgo, Krizler C.
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- 2024
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5. The role of the radiologist in the evaluation of male infertility: recommendations of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology-Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (ESUR-SPIWG) for scrotal imaging
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Lotti, Francesco, Studniarek, Michal, Balasa, Cristina, Belfield, Jane, De Visschere, Pieter, Freeman, Simon, Kozak, Oliwia, Markiet, Karolina, Ramanathan, Subramaniyan, Richenberg, Jonathan, Secil, Mustafa, Skrobisz, Katarzyna, Tsili, Athina C., Bertolotto, Michele, and Rocher, Laurence
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- 2024
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6. Hot ion implantation to create dense NV centre ensembles in diamond
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Ngambou, Midrel Wilfried Ngandeu, Perrin, Pauline, Balasa, Ionut, Tiranov, Alexey, Brinza, Ovidiu, Benedic, Fabien, Renaud, Justine, Reveillard, Morgan, Silvent, Jeremie, Goldner, Philippe, Achard, Jocelyn, and Tallaire, Alexandre
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Physics - Applied Physics ,Quantum Physics - Abstract
Creating dense and shallow nitrogen vacancy (NV) ensembles with good spin properties, is a prerequisite for developing diamond-based quantum sensors exhibiting better performance. Ion implantation is a key enabling tool for precisely controlling spatial localisation and density of NV colour centres in diamond. However, it suffers from a low creation yield, while higher ion fluences significantly damage the crystal lattice. In this work, we realize N2 ion implantation in the 30 to 40 keV range at high temperatures. At 800 C, NV ensemble photoluminescence emission is three to four times higher than room temperature implanted films, while narrow electron spin resonance linewidths of 1.5 MHz, comparable to well established implantation techniques are obtained. In addition, we found that ion fluences above 2E14 ions per cm2 can be used without graphitization of the diamond film, in contrast to room temperature implantation. This study opens promising perspectives in optimizing diamond films with implanted NV ensembles that could be integrated into quantum sensing devices., Comment: 10 pages, 1 table, 4 figures
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- 2023
7. Impact of demographics and comorbid conditions on plasma biomarkers concentrations and their diagnostic accuracy in a memory clinic cohort
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Sarto, Jordi, Esteller-Gauxax, Diana, Tort-Merino, Adrià, Guillén, Núria, Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Falgàs, Neus, Borrego-Écija, Sergi, Fernández-Villullas, Guadalupe, Bosch, Beatriz, Juncà-Parella, Jordi, Antonell, Anna, Naranjo, Laura, Ruiz-García, Raquel, Augé, Josep María, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, Lladó, Albert, and Balasa, Mircea
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- 2024
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8. CSF markers of neurodegeneration Alzheimer’s and Lewy body pathology in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder
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Amaia Muñoz-Lopetegi, Simone Baiardi, Mircea Balasa, Angela Mammana, Gerard Mayà, Marcello Rossi, Mónica Serradell, Corrado Zenesini, Alice Ticca, Joan Santamaria, Sofia Dellavalle, Carles Gaig, Alex Iranzo, and Piero Parchi
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Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,RC346-429 - Abstract
Abstract We investigated the biomarker profile of neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body pathology in the CSF of 148 polysomnography-confirmed patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (IRBD), a condition that precedes Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We assessed misfolded α-synuclein (AS) by RT-QuIC assay, amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ42 and Aβ40), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and total tau (t-tau) by CLEIA and neurofilament light chain (NfL) by ELISA. We detected AS in 75.3% of patients, pathologically decreased Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in 22.5%, increased p-tau in 15.5%, increased t-tau in 14.9%, and elevated NfL in 14.7%. After a mean follow-up of 2.48 ± 2.75 years, 47 (38.1%) patients developed PD (n = 24) or DLB (n = 23). At CSF collection, AS positivity [HR 4.05 (1.26–12.99), p = 0.019], mild cognitive impairment [3.86 (1.96–7.61), p
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- 2024
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9. Predictors of Depression in Caucasian Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Romania
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Motataianu Anca, Andone Sebastian, Radu Cristina, Bajko Zoltan, Barcutean Laura, Balasa Adrian, Voidazan Septimiu, Stoian Adina, and Maier Smaranda
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depression ,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ,physical disability ,autonomic symptoms ,caregiver ,spirituality ,Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry ,RC321-571 - Abstract
Depression remains an underdiagnosed comorbidity which significantly decreases the quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in a cohort of ALS patients with more than one year of disease evolution. A total of 50 ALS patients were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and cognition, using the Mini-Cog Standardized Instrument (MCSI). The clinical disability was evaluated using the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS). The prevalence of depression was 42.8%. A lower BDI-II score was significantly correlated with a higher education level, the spouse as a caregiver, spiritual devotion, and employment status (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis between the BDI-II score as the dependent variable and various independent variables such as spirituality, caregiver status, educational level, and occupational status revealed that only the type of caregiver (spouse or parent/child) significantly affected the BDI-II total score (p = 0.006). The functional disability significantly correlated with loss of appetite and loss of libido (p < 0.001). A high education, spiritual devotion, high ALSFRS, and the presence of the spouse as the caregiver were associated with the absence of depression.
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- 2020
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10. Technology in Education: An Attitudinal Investigation Among Prospective Teachers from a Country of Emerging Economy
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Fernandez, Manilyn A., Cabangcala, Cathy, Fanilag, Emma, Cabangcala, Ryan, Balasa, Keir, Alieto, Ericson O., Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Gomide, Fernando, Advisory Editor, Kaynak, Okyay, Advisory Editor, Liu, Derong, Advisory Editor, Pedrycz, Witold, Advisory Editor, Polycarpou, Marios M., Advisory Editor, Rudas, Imre J., Advisory Editor, Wang, Jun, Advisory Editor, Farhaoui, Yousef, editor, Hussain, Amir, editor, Saba, Tanzila, editor, Taherdoost, Hamed, editor, and Verma, Anshul, editor
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- 2024
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11. CSF markers of neurodegeneration Alzheimer’s and Lewy body pathology in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder
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Muñoz-Lopetegi, Amaia, Baiardi, Simone, Balasa, Mircea, Mammana, Angela, Mayà, Gerard, Rossi, Marcello, Serradell, Mónica, Zenesini, Corrado, Ticca, Alice, Santamaria, Joan, Dellavalle, Sofia, Gaig, Carles, Iranzo, Alex, and Parchi, Piero
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- 2024
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12. Increase in wasteosomes (corpora amylacea) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with specific detection of tau, TDP-43 and FUS pathology
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Alsina, Raquel, Riba, Marta, Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Borrego-Écija, Sergi, Aldecoa, Iban, Romera, Clara, Balasa, Mircea, Antonell, Anna, Lladó, Albert, Compta, Yaroslau, del Valle, Jaume, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, Pelegrí, Carme, Molina-Porcel, Laura, and Vilaplana, Jordi
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- 2024
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13. Cognitive profile, neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
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Guillén, Núria, Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Falgàs, Neus, Lledó-Ibáñez, Gema M., Rami, Lorena, Sarto, Jordi, Botí, Maria A., Arnaldos-Pérez, Cristina, Ruiz-García, Raquel, Naranjo, Laura, Segura, Bàrbara, Balasa, Mircea, Sala-Llonch, Roser, Lladó, Albert, Gray, Sarah M., Johannesen, Jason K., Pantoni, Madeline M., Rutledge, Grant A., Sawant, Ruta, Wang, Yi, Watson, Luke S., Dalmau, Josep, and Sanchez-Valle, Raquel
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- 2024
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14. Cortical thickness modeling and variability in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia
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Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Borrego-Écija, Sergi, Falgàs, Neus, Juncà-Parella, Jordi, Bosch, Beatriz, Tort-Merino, Adrià, Antonell, Anna, Bargalló, Nuria, Rami, Lorena, Balasa, Mircea, Lladó, Albert, Sala-Llonch, Roser, and Sánchez-Valle, Raquel
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- 2024
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15. Increase in wasteosomes (corpora amylacea) in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with specific detection of tau, TDP-43 and FUS pathology
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Raquel Alsina, Marta Riba, Agnès Pérez-Millan, Sergi Borrego-Écija, Iban Aldecoa, Clara Romera, Mircea Balasa, Anna Antonell, Albert Lladó, Yaroslau Compta, Jaume del Valle, Raquel Sánchez-Valle, Carme Pelegrí, Laura Molina-Porcel, and Jordi Vilaplana
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Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) ,Wasteosomes ,Corpora amylacea ,Tau ,TDP-43 ,FUS ,Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,RC346-429 - Abstract
Abstract Wasteosomes (or corpora amylacea) are polyglucosan bodies that appear in the human brain with aging and in some neurodegenerative diseases, and have been suggested to have a potential role in a nervous system cleaning mechanism. Despite previous studies in several neurodegenerative disorders, their status in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) remains unexplored. Our study aims to characterize wasteosomes in the three primary FTLD proteinopathies, assessing frequency, distribution, protein detection, and association with aging or disease duration. Wasteosome scores were obtained in various brain regions from 124 post-mortem diagnosed sporadic FTLD patients, including 75 participants with tau (FTLD-tau), 42 with TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (FTLD-TDP), and 7 with Fused in Sarcoma (FTLD-FUS) proteinopathies, along with 29 control subjects. The wasteosome amount in each brain region for the different FLTD patients was assessed with a permutation test with age at death and sex as covariables, and multiple regressions explored associations with age at death and disease duration. Double immunofluorescence studies examined altered proteins linked to FTLD in wasteosomes. FTLD patients showed a higher accumulation of wasteosomes than control subjects, especially those with FTLD-FUS. Unlike FTLD-TDP and control subjects, wasteosome accumulation did not increase with age in FTLD-tau and FTLD-FUS. Cases with shorter disease duration in FTLD-tau and FTLD-FUS seemed to exhibit higher wasteosome quantities, whereas FTLD-TDP appeared to show an increase with disease progression. Immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of tau and phosphorylated-TDP-43 in the periphery of isolated wasteosomes in some patients with FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP, respectively. Central inclusions of FUS were observed in a higher number of wasteosomes in FTLD-FUS patients. These findings suggest a role of wasteosomes in FTLD, especially in the more aggressive forms of FLTD-FUS. Detecting these proteins, particularly FUS, in wasteosomes from cerebrospinal fluid could be a potential biomarker for FTLD.
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- 2024
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16. Cognitive profile, neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
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Núria Guillén, Agnès Pérez-Millan, Neus Falgàs, Gema M. Lledó-Ibáñez, Lorena Rami, Jordi Sarto, Maria A. Botí, Cristina Arnaldos-Pérez, Raquel Ruiz-García, Laura Naranjo, Bàrbara Segura, Mircea Balasa, Roser Sala-Llonch, Albert Lladó, Sarah M. Gray, Jason K. Johannesen, Madeline M. Pantoni, Grant A. Rutledge, Ruta Sawant, Yi Wang, Luke S. Watson, Josep Dalmau, and Raquel Sanchez-Valle
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Post-acute COVID-19 ,Cognitive symptoms ,MRI ,Cytokines ,Longitudinal study ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract We aimed to characterize the cognitive profile of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) patients with cognitive complaints, exploring the influence of biological and psychological factors. Participants with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and cognitive complaints ≥ 8 weeks post-acute phase were included. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery (NPS) and health questionnaires were administered at inclusion and at 1, 3 and 6 months. Blood samples were collected at each visit, MRI scan at baseline and at 6 months, and, optionally, cerebrospinal fluid. Cognitive features were analyzed in relation to clinical, neuroimaging, and biochemical markers at inclusion and follow-up. Forty-nine participants, with a mean time from symptom onset of 10.4 months, showed attention-executive function (69%) and verbal memory (39%) impairment. Apathy (64%), moderate-severe anxiety (57%), and severe fatigue (35%) were prevalent. Visual memory (8%) correlated with total gray matter (GM) and subcortical GM volume. Neuronal damage and inflammation markers were within normal limits. Over time, cognitive test scores, depression, apathy, anxiety scores, MRI indexes, and fluid biomarkers remained stable, although fewer participants (50% vs. 75.5%; p = 0.012) exhibited abnormal cognitive evaluations at follow-up. Altered attention/executive and verbal memory, common in PACS, persisted in most subjects without association with structural abnormalities, elevated cytokines, or neuronal damage markers.
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- 2024
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17. Port service quality assessment using a ROPMIS modeling: seaports scenario in a Gulf country
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Abdul Rahman, Noorul Shaiful Fitri, Balasa, Adela P., Othman, Mohammad Khairuddin, and Alemu, Abebe Ejigu
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- 2024
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18. Agreement of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and amyloid-PET in a multicenter study
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Guillén, Núria, Contador, José, Buongiorno, Mariateresa, Álvarez, Ignacio, Culell, Natalia, Alcolea, Daniel, Lleó, Alberto, Fortea, Juan, Piñol-Ripoll, Gerard, Carnes-Vendrell, Anna, Lourdes Ispierto, María, Vilas, Dolores, Puig-Pijoan, Albert, Fernández-Lebrero, Aida, Balasa, Mircea, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, and Lladó, Albert
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- 2023
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19. AN OVERVIEW OF CELIAC DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD TYPE 1 DIABETES – A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM SOUTH EAST ROMANIA
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Tatiana Chisnoiu, Cristina Maria Mihai, Alexandru Cosmin Pantazi, Adriana Luminița Balasa, Larisia Mihai, Corina Elena Frecus, Bianca Maria Constantin, Antonio Andrusca, Ancuta Lupu, Iuliana Magdalena Starcea, Ileana Ioniuc, Lorenza Forna, Simona Claudia Cambrea, Sergiu Chirila, and Adriana Mocanu
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type 1 diabetes ,celiac disease ,autoimmunity ,Dentistry ,RK1-715 - Abstract
The autoimmune process that induces type 1 diabetes can also affect other organs, leading to the development of additional autoimmune diseases in patients, thus hindering diabetes control. The most common comorbidities include autoimmune thyroid diseases and celiac disease. Globally, this subject is increasingly drawing the attention of researchers, given the magnitude and severity of the association between autoimmune diseases and type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of autoimmune diseases, with the primary focus on celiac disease, associated with type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents, as well as their impact on the progression of type 1 diabetes. Material and methods: The present study was conducted within the Pediatric Section, Pediatric Diabetology Department of the Emergency Clinical Hospital “St. Apostle Andrew” in Constanța, including 15 cases diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in children during the period 2017-2022. Results: The patients included in the study are aged between 1 and 13 years highlighting the age group of 3-6 years as the most commonly encountered. The most commonly encountered HbA1c values are in the range of 10-12%, accounting for 53% of the total, we can thus observe a prevalence of high and very high HbA1c values. In order to confirm the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, specific antibodies were sampled, 97% of patients being tested positive for at least one antibody. Conclusions: The association between diabetes mellitus and another autoimmune disease is encountered at a relatively high percentage. Higher levels of HbA1c at the onset of type 1 diabetes have been associated with an increased risk of long-term complications.
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- 2024
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20. SERUM LACTATE – PREDICTIVE FACTOR IN SEPTIC SHOCK IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN
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Antonio Andrusca, Cristina Maria Mihai, Adriana Luminita Balasa, Larisia Mihai, Simona Claudia Cambrea, Irina Ion, Corina Elena Frecus, Tatiana Chisnoiu, Alexandru Cosmin Pantazi, Constantin Ionescu, Ancuta Lupu, Ileana Ioniuc, Lorenza Forna, and Ileana Ion
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lactate ,septic shock ,pediatric ,sepsis ,Dentistry ,RK1-715 - Abstract
Background: In the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), sepsis, sepsis syndromes, septic shock, and multiorgan system failure are frequently encountered and are considered important conditions; Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study over a period of 3 years, that is aimed to investigate the predictive role of lactate levels at admission in order to evaluate disease progression of pediatric patients with septic shock syndrome with the role to identify whether lactate levels at admission could serve as a significant predictor of adverse outcomes. The sample consisted of 21 patients between 1 and 36 months, diagnosed and treated for hemodynamic shock in a tertiary center; Results: The study found that lactate level at admission greater than or equal to 4.95 was associated with 32.5 times increased odds of serious evolution. The study also identified other potential predictors, such as lactate level 12 hours after admission, hemodynamic parameters, and demographic factors; Conclusions: These findings suggest that monitoring lactate levels at admission can provide important information to predict mortality and guiding treatment decisions in pediatric patients with shock syndrome.
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- 2024
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21. Early‐onset Alzheimer's disease shows a distinct neuropsychological profile and more aggressive trajectories of cognitive decline than late‐onset
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Tort‐Merino, Adrià, Falgàs, Neus, Allen, Isabel E, Balasa, Mircea, Olives, Jaume, Contador, José, Castellví, Magdalena, Juncà‐Parella, Jordi, Guillén, Núria, Borrego‐Écija, Sergi, Bosch, Bea, Fernández‐Villullas, Guadalupe, Ramos‐Campoy, Oscar, Antonell, Anna, Rami, Lorena, Sánchez‐Valle, Raquel, and Lladó, Albert
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Biological Psychology ,Psychology ,Neurosciences ,Acquired Cognitive Impairment ,Clinical Research ,Aging ,Neurodegenerative ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Alzheimer's Disease including Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) ,Brain Disorders ,Dementia ,Alzheimer's Disease ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,Aetiology ,2.4 Surveillance and distribution ,Neurological ,Humans ,Aged ,Alzheimer Disease ,Retrospective Studies ,Age of Onset ,Cognitive Dysfunction ,Neuropsychological Tests ,Clinical Sciences ,Clinical and health psychology - Abstract
ObjectivesEarly- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD and LOAD) share the same neuropathological traits but show distinct cognitive features. We aimed to explore baseline and longitudinal outcomes of global and domain-specific cognitive function in a well characterized cohort of patients with a biomarker-based diagnosis.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, 195 participants were included and classified according to their age, clinical status, and CSF AD biomarker profile: 89 EOAD, 37 LOAD, 46 young healthy controls (age ≤ 65 years), and 23 old healthy controls (>65 years). All subjects underwent clinical and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, APOE genotyping and lumbar puncture.ResultsWe found distinct neuropsychological profiles between EOAD and LOAD at the time of diagnosis. Both groups showed similar performances on memory and language domains, but the EOAD patients displayed worsened deficits in visual perception, praxis, and executive tasks (p
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- 2022
22. Experiences of child sex trafficking identification among Ontario pediatric emergency department healthcare providers: A qualitative study
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Balasa, Rebecca, Khan, Momina, Gesink, Dionne, Forman, Lisa, and Perez-Brumer, Amaya
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- 2024
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23. The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Disability after Post-Acute Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study
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Claudia-Gabriela Potcovaru, Teodor Salmen, Ana Mădălina Potcovaru, Ioana-Miruna Săndulescu, Ovidiu Chiriac, Ana-Cristinel Balasa, Laura Sorina Diaconu, Daniela Poenaru, Anca Pantea Stoian, Delia Cinteza, and Mihai Berteanu
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COVID-19 ,rehabilitation ,disability ,WHODAS 2.0 ,long-term management ,Medicine - Abstract
Background: The long-term effect of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is not fully known. Severe cases of COVID-19 have resulted in disability that can be assessed in a biopsychosocial manner with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects on disability of COVID-19 three years after post-acute rehabilitation using WHODAS 2.0. Methods: This single-center cohort study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent immediate post-discharge post-acute rehabilitation intervention. Three years later, patients were assessed via telephone using the WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire. Results: Of the 69 patients identified in the hospital database, 27 responded. A total of 16 patients refused to respond due to emotional distress. The mean age was 63.4 ± 8.6 years, 81.5% were independent in the community, 55.3% had been previously admitted to the ICU, and the median rehabilitation hospitalization duration was 18 (11.5,24) days. Comorbidities included type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (55.5%), grade 2 high blood pressure (62.9%), pressure ulcers (37%), peripheral neurologic deficits (62.9%), and central neurological deficits (14.8%). ICU admission was significantly correlated with advanced rehabilitation needs (measured by the level of the rehabilitation (p < 0.01) and longer hospitalizations (measured by total days in the hospital (p < 0.001). The overall disability score was 35.09%, significantly influenced by DM and central neurological deficits. Conclusions: Central neurological deficits and DM are associated with higher disability scores. Tailored rehabilitation programs, ongoing medical assessment, integrated care models, and patient education are essential for improving long-term outcomes after COVID-19 disease.
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- 2024
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24. Beyond group classification: Probabilistic differential diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with MRI and CSF biomarkers
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Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Thirion, Bertrand, Falgàs, Neus, Borrego-Écija, Sergi, Bosch, Beatriz, Juncà-Parella, Jordi, Tort-Merino, Adrià, Sarto, Jordi, Augé, Josep Maria, Antonell, Anna, Bargalló, Nuria, Balasa, Mircea, Lladó, Albert, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, and Sala-Llonch, Roser
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- 2024
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25. MAPT H2 haplotype and risk of Pick's disease in the Pick's disease International Consortium: a genetic association study
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Warner, Thomas T, Jaunmuktane, Zane, Boeve, Bradley F, Duara, Ranjan, Graff-Radford, Neill R, Josephs, Keith A, Knopman, David S, Koga, Shunsuke, Murray, Melissa E, Lyons, Kelly E, Pahwa, Rajesh, Petersen, Ronald C, Whitwell, Jennifer L, Grinberg, Lea T, Miller, Bruce, Schlereth, Athena, Spina, Salvatore, Grossman, Murray, Irwin, David J, Suh, EunRan, Trojanowski, John Q, Van Deerlin, Vivianna M, Wolk, David A, Connors, Theresa R, Dooley, Patrick M, Oakley, Derek H, Aldecoa, Iban, Balasa, Mircea, Gelpi, Ellen, Borrego-Écija, Sergi, Gascon-Bayarri, Jordi, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, Sanz-Cartagena, Pilar, Piñol-Ripoll, Gerard, Bigio, Eileen H, Flanagan, Margaret E, Rogalski, Emily J, Weintraub, Sandra, Schneider, Julie A, Peng, Lihua, Zhu, Xiongwei, Chang, Koping, Troncoso, Juan C, Prokop, Stefan, Newell, Kathy L, Jones, Matthew, Richardson, Anna, Roncaroli, Federico, Snowden, Julie, Allinson, Kieren, Singh, Poonam, Serrano, Geidy E, Flowers, Xena E, Goldman, James E, Heaps, Allison C, Leskinen, Sandra P, Black, Sandra E, Masellis, Mario, King, Andrew, Al-Sarraj, Safa, Troakes, Claire, Hodges, John R, Kril, Jillian J, Kwok, John B, Piguet, Olivier, Roeber, Sigrun, Attems, Johannes, Thomas, Alan J, Evers, Bret M., Bieniek, Kevin F, Sieben, Anne A, Cras, Patrick P, De Vil, Bart B, Bird, Thomas, Castellani, Rudolph J, Chaffee, Ann, Franklin, Erin, Haroutunian, Vahram, Jacobsen, Max, Keene, Dirk, Latimer, Caitlin S, Metcalf, Jeff, Perrin, Richard J, Purohit, Dushyant P, Rissman, Robert A, Schantz, Aimee, Walker, Jamie, De Deyn, Peter P, Duyckaerts, Charles, Le Ber, Isabelle, Seilhean, Danielle, Turbant-Leclere, Sabrina, Ervin, John F, Nennesmo, Inger, Riehl, James, Nacmias, Benedetta, Finger, Elizabeth C, Blauwendraat, Cornelis, Nalls, Mike A, Singleton, Andrew B, Vitale, Dan, Cunha, Cristina, Wszolek, Zbigniew K, Valentino, Rebecca R, Scotton, William J, Roemer, Shanu F, Lashley, Tammaryn, Heckman, Michael G, Shoai, Maryam, Martinez-Carrasco, Alejandro, Tamvaka, Nicole, Walton, Ronald L, Baker, Matthew C, Macpherson, Hannah L, Real, Raquel, Soto-Beasley, Alexandra I, Mok, Kin, Revesz, Tamas, Christopher, Elizabeth A, DeTure, Michael, Seeley, William W, Lee, Edward B, Frosch, Matthew P, Molina-Porcel, Laura, Gefen, Tamar, Redding-Ochoa, Javier, Ghetti, Bernardino, Robinson, Andrew C, Kobylecki, Christopher, Rowe, James B, Beach, Thomas G, Teich, Andrew F, Keith, Julia L, Bodi, Istvan, Halliday, Glenda M, Gearing, Marla, Arzberger, Thomas, Morris, Christopher M, White, Charles L, 3rd, Mechawar, Naguib, Boluda, Susana, MacKenzie, Ian R, McLean, Catriona, Cykowski, Matthew D, Wang, Shih-Hsiu J, Graff, Caroline, Nagra, Rashed M, Kovacs, Gabor G, Giaccone, Giorgio, Neumann, Manuela, Ang, Lee-Cyn, Carvalho, Agostinho, Morris, Huw R, Rademakers, Rosa, Hardy, John A, Dickson, Dennis W, Rohrer, Jonathan D, and Ross, Owen A
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- 2024
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26. Teaching inside a digital classroom: A quantitative analysis of attitude, technological competence and access among teachers across subject disciplines
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Ericson Alieto, Bernadeth Abequibel-Encarnacion, Edison Estigoy, Keir Balasa, Abee Eijansantos, and Angel Torres-Toukoumidis
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Attitude ,Technological competence ,Access to technology ,Online teaching ,Gender ,Science (General) ,Q1-390 ,Social sciences (General) ,H1-99 - Abstract
This study delves into the attitudes of educators toward online teaching, their technological proficiency, and access to technology, with a particular emphasis on examining potential gender distinctions. Employing a quantitative-descriptive-correlational research design, this research meticulously examines the intricate relationships among these variables. The primary objectives of this investigation involve scrutinizing teachers' attitudes toward online instruction, evaluating their technological competency, and gauging their accessibility to technology. The results reveal that, by and large, teachers exhibit a moderately favorable disposition toward online teaching, signifying their eagerness to embrace this pedagogical approach. Furthermore, these educators demonstrate a commendable level of technological competence, showcasing their adeptness in harnessing technology for instructional purposes. In the context of technological accessibility, most teachers report encountering minimal impediments; however, science teachers disclose relatively restricted access.A gender-based analysis of the data suggested a notable absence of significant disparities in attitudes, technological proficiency, and access between male and female educators. This finding substantiates the assertion that gender exerts a negligible influence on shaping teachers' perspectives regarding online teaching and their technological adeptness. Moreover, this research revealed a substantial positive correlation between teachers' attitudes toward online teaching and their technological competence, as well as their access to technology. This implies that educators endowed with enhanced technological proficiency and enhanced access are more likely to harbor favorable attitudes toward online teaching.The implications of these findings underscore the paramount significance of supporting teachers in augmenting their technological competence while simultaneously ensuring equitable access to technology resources. These two factors emerge as pivotal catalysts for facilitating the seamless integration of online teaching into contemporary education. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, where online instruction has become indispensable, the imperative for ongoing professional development and support has become unmistakably evident. This study calls for a sustained commitment to nurturing and further enhancing teachers' affirmative attitudes toward online teaching to effectively navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education.
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- 2024
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27. The role of top management teams' functional background diversity in firms' coopetitive behavior
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Krieweth, Carolin, Guragata-Balasa, Patricia, Greven, Andrea, and Brettel, Malte
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- 2024
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28. Demographic, clinical, biomarker, and neuropathological correlates of posterior cortical atrophy: an international cohort study and individual participant data meta-analysis
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Abdi, Zeinab, Agosta, Federica, Ahmed, Samrah, Alcolea, Daniel, Allen, Isabel Elaine, Allinson, Kieren S.J., Apostolova, Liana G., Arighi, Andrea, Balasa, Mircea, Barkhof, Frederik, Best, John, Boon, Baayla D., Brandt, Katherine D., Brosch, Jared, Burrell, James, Butler, Christopher R., Calandri, Ismael, Caminiti, Silvia Paola, Canu, Elisa, Carrillo, Maria C., Caso, Francesca, Chapleau, Marianne, Chrem Mendez, Patricio, Chu, Min, Crutch, Sebastian, Cordato, Nicholas, Costa, Ana Sofia, Cui, Yue, Dickerson, Bradford, Dickson, Dennis W., Duara, Ranjan, Dubois, Bruno, Eldaief, Mark, Farlow, Martin, Fenoglio, Chiara, Filippi, Massimo, Fliessbach, Klaus, Formaglio, Maïté, Fortea, Juan, Fox, Nick, Foxe, David, Tilikete, Caroline Froment, Frosch, Matthew P., Fumagalli, Giorgio Giulio, Galasko, Douglas, Galimberti, Daniela, Garat, Oscar, Giardinieri, Giulia, Graff-Radford, Jonathan, Graff-Radford, Neill R., Grinberg, Lea, Groot, Colin, Hake, Ann Marie, Hansson, Oskar, Headley, Alison, Hernandez, Micaela, Hochberg, Daisy, Hodges, John R., Hof, Patrick R., Holton, Janice, Hromas, Gabrielle, Gala, Ignacio Illán, Irwin, David J., Jaunmuktane, Zane, Jing, Donglai, Josephs, Keith, Kagerer, Sonja M., Kasuga, Kensaku, Kong, Yu, Kövari, Enikö, Lacombe-Thibault, Mégane, Lleó, Alberto, Laforce, Robert, La Joie, Renaud, Lashley, Tammaryn, Leger, Gabriel, Levin, Netta, Levy, Richard, Liu, Yang, Liu, Li, Lladó Plarrumaní, Albert, Lucente, Diane E., Machulda, Mary M., Magnani, Giuseppe, Magnin, Eloi, Malpetti, Maura, Matthews, Brandy, McGinnis, Scott, Mendez, Mario F., Mesulam, Marsel, Migliaccio, Raffaella, Miklitz, Carolin, Miller, Zachary A., Montembeault, Maxime, Murray, Melissa E., Mundada, Nidhi, Nemes, Sara, Nestor, Peter J., Ocal, Dilek, Ossenkoppele, Rik, Paterson, Ross, Pelak, Victoria, Perani, Daniela, Phillips, Jeffrey, Piguet, Olivier, Pijnenburg, Yolande, Putcha, Deepti, Quimby, Megan, Rabinovici, Gil D., Reetz, Kathrin, Rein, Netaniel, Revesz, Tamas, Rezaii, Neguine, Rodriguez-Porcel, Federico, Rogalski, Emily, Rowe, James B., Ryan, Natalie, Sanchez-Valle, Raquel, Sacchi, Luca, Santos-Santos, Miguel Ángel, Schott, Jonathan M., Seeley, William, Sherman, Janet, Spina, Salvatore, Stomrud, Erik, Sullivan, A. Campbell, Tanner, Jeremy, Tideman, Pontus, Tokutake, Takayoshi, Tondo, Giacomo, Touroutoglou, Alexandra, Tousi, Babak, Vandenberghe, Rik, van der Flier, Wiesje, Walker, Jamie M., Weintraub, Sandra, Whitwell, Jennifer L., Wolk, David A., Wong, Bonnie, Wu, Liyong, Xie, Kexin, Yong, Keir, Apostolova, Liana, Boon, Baayla D C, Grinberg, Lea T, Irwin, David J, Josephs, Keith A, Mendez, Mario F, Mendez, Patricio Chrem, Miller, Zachary A, Murray, Melissa E, Nemes, Sára, Schott, Jonathan M, Sullivan, A Campbell, Walker, Jamie, Whitwell, Jennifer L, Wolk, David A, and Rabinovici, Gil D
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- 2024
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29. Teaching inside a digital classroom: A quantitative analysis of attitude, technological competence and access among teachers across subject disciplines
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Alieto, Ericson, Abequibel-Encarnacion, Bernadeth, Estigoy, Edison, Balasa, Keir, Eijansantos, Abee, and Torres-Toukoumidis, Angel
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- 2024
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30. Is sustainability a ‘lesson plan’ for preservice teachers? Extent of environmental awareness in the framework of waste management among preservice teachers
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Gapol, Precious Angel M., Bantoto, Franchesca Marie O., Fuentes, Justine O., Pil, Anthony I.O., Sarona, Jovannie M., Lacao-Lacao, Lolita R., Casimiro, Arvin B., Alieto, Ericson O., Peromingan, Ronel, Balasa, Keir A., and Encarnacion, Bernadeth
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- 2024
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31. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation in Early-Onset-Dementia Patients Brain Tissue and Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
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Oscar Ramos-Campoy, Aina Comas-Albertí, David Hervás, Sergi Borrego-Écija, Beatriz Bosch, Juan Sandoval, Laura Fort-Aznar, Fermín Moreno-Izco, Guadalupe Fernández-Villullas, Laura Molina-Porcel, Mircea Balasa, Albert Lladó, Raquel Sánchez-Valle, and Anna Antonell
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Alzheimer’s disease ,frontotemporal dementia ,lymphoblastoid cell lines ,brain tissue ,DNA methylation ,diagnostic signature ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Epigenetics, a potential underlying pathogenic mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, has been in the scope of several studies performed so far. However, there is a gap in regard to analyzing different forms of early-onset dementia and the use of Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). We performed a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis on sixty-four samples (from the prefrontal cortex and LCLs) including those taken from patients with early-onset forms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and healthy controls. A beta regression model and adjusted p-values were used to obtain differentially methylated positions (DMPs) via pairwise comparisons. A correlation analysis of DMP levels with Clariom D array gene expression data from the same cohort was also performed. The results showed hypermethylation as the most frequent finding in both tissues studied in the patient groups. Biological significance analysis revealed common pathways altered in AD and FTD patients, affecting neuron development, metabolism, signal transduction, and immune system pathways. These alterations were also found in LCL samples, suggesting the epigenetic changes might not be limited to the central nervous system. In the brain, CpG methylation presented an inverse correlation with gene expression, while in LCLs, we observed mainly a positive correlation. This study enhances our understanding of the biological pathways that are associated with neurodegeneration, describes differential methylation patterns, and suggests LCLs are a potential cell model for studying neurodegenerative diseases in earlier clinical phases than brain tissue.
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- 2024
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32. Metabolic Contrasts: Fatty Acid Oxidation and Ketone Bodies in Healthy Brains vs. Glioblastoma Multiforme
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Corina Tamas, Flaviu Tamas, Attila Kovecsi, Alina Cehan, and Adrian Balasa
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glioblastoma ,fatty acids ,ketone bodies ,lipid metabolism ,β-oxidation ,carnitine ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The metabolism of glucose and lipids plays a crucial role in the normal homeostasis of the body. Although glucose is the main energy substrate, in its absence, lipid metabolism becomes the primary source of energy. The main means of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) takes place in the mitochondrial matrix through β-oxidation. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of primary malignant brain tumor (45.6%), with an incidence of 3.1 per 100,000. The metabolic changes found in GBM cells and in the surrounding microenvironment are associated with proliferation, migration, and resistance to treatment. Tumor cells show a remodeling of metabolism with the use of glycolysis at the expense of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), known as the Warburg effect. Specialized fatty acids (FAs) transporters such as FAT, FABP, or FATP from the tumor microenvironment are overexpressed in GBM and contribute to the absorption and storage of an increased amount of lipids that will provide sufficient energy used for tumor growth and invasion. This review provides an overview of the key enzymes, transporters, and main regulatory pathways of FAs and ketone bodies (KBs) in normal versus GBM cells, highlighting the need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve treatment efficacy in patients with GBM.
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- 2024
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33. Update on Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis with Novel Imaging Approaches
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Marie-France Bellin, Catarina Valente, Omar Bekdache, Florian Maxwell, Cristina Balasa, Alexia Savignac, and Olivier Meyrignac
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renal cell carcinoma ,dual-energy CT ,spectral CT ,photon-counting detector CT ,quantitative computed tomography ,multiparametric MRI ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - Abstract
This review highlights recent advances in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) imaging. It begins with dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), which has demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of renal masses. Several studies have suggested the potential benefits of iodine quantification, particularly for distinguishing low-attenuation, true enhancing solid masses from hyperdense cysts. By determining whether or not a renal mass is present, DECT could avoid the need for additional imaging studies, thereby reducing healthcare costs. DECT can also provide virtual unenhanced images, helping to reduce radiation exposure. The review then provides an update focusing on the advantages of multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performance in the histological subtyping of RCC and in the differentiation of benign from malignant renal masses. A proposed standardized stepwise reading of images helps to identify clear cell RCC and papillary RCC with a high accuracy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may represent a promising diagnostic tool for the characterization of solid and cystic renal masses. Several combined pharmaceutical imaging strategies using both sestamibi and PSMA offer new opportunities in the diagnosis and staging of RCC, but their role in risk stratification needs to be evaluated. Although radiomics and tumor texture analysis are hampered by poor reproducibility and need standardization, they show promise in identifying new biomarkers for predicting tumor histology, clinical outcomes, overall survival, and the response to therapy. They have a wide range of potential applications but are still in the research phase. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown encouraging results in tumor classification, grade, and prognosis. It is expected to play an important role in assessing the treatment response and advancing personalized medicine. The review then focuses on recently updated algorithms and guidelines. The Bosniak classification version 2019 incorporates MRI, precisely defines previously vague imaging terms, and allows a greater proportion of masses to be placed in lower-risk classes. Recent studies have reported an improved specificity of the higher-risk categories and better inter-reader agreement. The clear cell likelihood score, which adds standardization to the characterization of solid renal masses on MRI, has been validated in recent studies with high interobserver agreement. Finally, the review discusses the key imaging implications of the 2017 AUA guidelines for renal masses and localized renal cancer.
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- 2024
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34. Fruit Color Preference of Frugivorous Birds in an Agroecosystem in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines
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Navel Kyla B. Balasa, Jirriza O. Roquero, Asraf K. Lidasan, Lothy F. Casim, Angelo Rellama Agduma, and Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo
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agriculture ,avifauna ,plant–bird interaction ,tree cover ,visual cues ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 ,Animal culture ,SF1-1100 - Abstract
The removal of fruit is a consequence of plant–animal interactions, and is a vital step in the natural regeneration cycle of plant populations. This research aimed to determine the effect of fruit color and local landscape on plant–bird interactions in an agroecosystem in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines. We set out 1500 artificial fruit models in ten sampling locations within an agroecosystem. We measured the difference in the proportion of predated/removed (%) fruit models and the risk between sites, fruit color, and predators. Approximately a quarter (24.53%) of the artificial fruit models deployed were predated, and the proportion of predation was significantly higher in the red fruit models (mean = 18.74 ± 9.84) compared to the green fruit models (mean = 11.67 ± 6.17). Birds were the most dominant predators compared to mammals and arthropods, and contributed to at least 60% of the predation of red fruits. Our findings are consistent with previous evidence showing birds’ preferences for darker fruit colors. Although landscape variables did not significantly affect fruit predation, tree cover may help increase these interactions. Overall, our study showed that agroecosystems can still support species of frugivorous birds, as indicated by high fruit predation rates, particularly by birds that can permeate different layers of the agroecosystem. Our findings demonstrate an important implication for habitat quality management within agroecosystems. Enriching agroecosystems with pioneer trees with dark-colored fleshy fruits is a sustainable greening strategy that would benefit frugivores and producers in this system.
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- 2023
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35. Medical help-seeking intentions among patients with early Alzheimer’s disease
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Alberto Villarejo-Galende, Elena García-Arcelay, Gerard Piñol-Ripoll, Antonio del Olmo-Rodríguez, Félix Viñuela, Mercè Boada, Emilio Franco-Macías, Almudena Ibañez de la Peña, Mario Riverol, Albert Puig-Pijoan, Pedro Abizanda-Soler, Rafael Arroyo, Miquel Baquero-Toledo, Inmaculada Feria-Vilar, Mircea Balasa, Ángel Berbel, Eloy Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Alba Vieira-Campos, Guillermo Garcia-Ribas, Silvia Rodrigo-Herrero, Alberto Lleó, and Jorge Maurino
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Alzheimer’s disease ,help-seeking ,early diagnosis ,illness representation ,awareness ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
BackgroundLimited information is available on the active process of seeking medical help in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at early stages. The aim of this study was to assess the phenomenon of medical help-seeking in early AD and to identify associated factors.MethodsA multicenter, non-interventional study was conducted including patients of 50–90 years of age with prodromal or mild AD (National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association criteria), a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 22, and a Clinical Dementia Rating-Global score (CDR-GS) of 0.5–1.0. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.ResultsA total of 149 patients were included. Mean age (SD) was 72.3 (7.0) years, 50.3% were female, and 87.2% had a CDR-GS score of 0.5. Mean disease duration was 1.4 (1.8) years. Ninety-four (63.1%) patients sought medical help, mostly from neurologists. Patients with help-seeking intentions were mostly female (60.6%) with a CDR-GS score of 0.5 (91.5%) and had a greater awareness of diagnosis, poorer quality of life, more depressive symptoms, and a more severe perception of their condition than their counterparts. Lack of help-seeking intentions was associated with male sex (p = 0.003), fewer years of education (p = 0.005), a low awareness of diagnosis (p = 0.005), and a low emotional consequence of the condition (p = 0.016).ConclusionUnderstanding the phenomenon of active medical help-seeking may facilitate the design of specific strategies to improve the detection of cognitive impairment, especially in patients with a lower level of educational attainment and poor awareness of their condition.
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- 2023
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36. Huge extradural multilevel lumbar abscess
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D. Balasa, A.H. Tunas, I. Rusu, C. Popescu, and C. Nicola
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extensive extradural ,lumbar abscess ,alternate laminotomy ,Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,RC346-429 - Abstract
Extensive spinal epidural abscesses (ESEAs), occupying three or more spinal regions, are rare forms of vertebral infection. Multilevel laminectomy in these cases is controversial because of the risk of vertebral instability. We report the case of a 47-year-old patient known with ureterohydronephrosis 2nd degree, admitted for severe vertebral pain (VAS 8/10) from 2 months, paraparesis (ASIA 1/5 left, 4/5 right, retention of urine and faeces) from three days. The analysis discovered Diabetes Mellitus type 2, and high levels of inflammatory tests. CT and MRI of the vertebral area with contrast revealed dorsal compression of the spinal cord and cauda equina by an epidural abscess extending from L1-L5, bilateral in the soft adjacent paravertebral tissues especially psoas muscles but sparing the intervertebral discs. Surgical treatment: alternate fenestrations L1-L5, more important on the left side. By this technique, we removed the fluid pus and also granulomatous pus from posterior epidural space L1-L5, bilateral medial foramina, interspinous and supraspinous space, and psoas muscles. The identified germ was Staphylococcus aureus ++++. Postoperatively, we used a continuous drainage washing system with Vancomicyne and diluted Betadine—a course of six-week Vancomycin 2 grams/day iv. The drainage system was blocked after 24 hours and we had to remove it and all the wires of the suture. We had to dress up every day for the surgical field and wash deep inside the field with diluted betadine for 3 weeks till the surgical field was completely cured. After 3 months postoperatively the patient was cured radiologically and clinically. Follow up 18 months. Conclusion: alternate fenestration has the advantages of removing liquid and granulomatous pus in the epidural posterior area and preserving the spine stability.
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- 2023
37. Prodromal language impairment in genetic frontotemporal dementia within the GENFI cohort
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Nelson, Annabel, Thomas, David L., Todd, Emily, Benotmane, Hanya, Nicholas, Jennifer, Shafei, Rachelle, Timberlake, Carolyn, Cope, Thomas, Rittman, Timothy, Benussi, Alberto, Premi, Enrico, Gasparotti, Roberto, Archetti, Silvana, Gazzina, Stefano, Cantoni, Valentina, Arighi, Andrea, Fenoglio, Chiara, Scarpini, Elio, Fumagalli, Giorgio, Borracci, Vittoria, Rossi, Giacomina, Giaccone, Giorgio, Di Fede, Giuseppe, Caroppo, Paola, Prioni, Sara, Redaelli, Veronica, Tang-Wai, David, Rogaeva, Ekaterina, Castelo-Branco, Miguel, Freedman, Morris, Keren, Ron, Black, Sandra, Mitchell, Sara, Shoesmith, Christen, Bartha, Robart, Rademakers, Rosa, Poos, Jackie, Papma, Janne M., Giannini, Lucia, van Minkelen, Rick, Pijnenburg, Yolande, Nacmias, Benedetta, Ferrari, Camilla, Polito, Cristina, Lombardi, Gemma, Bessi, Valentina, Veldsman, Michele, Andersson, Christin, Thonberg, Hakan, Öijerstedt, Linn, Jelic, Vesna, Thompson, Paul, Langheinrich, Tobias, Lladó, Albert, Antonell, Anna, Olives, Jaume, Balasa, Mircea, Bargalló, Nuria, Borrego-Ecija, Sergi, Verdelho, Ana, Maruta, Carolina, Ferreira, Catarina B., Miltenberger, Gabriel, do Couto, Frederico Simões, Gabilondo, Alazne, Gorostidi, Ana, Villanua, Jorge, Cañada, Marta, Tainta, Mikel, Zulaica, Miren, Barandiaran, Myriam, Alves, Patricia, Bender, Benjamin, Wilke, Carlo, Graf, Lisa, Vogels, Annick, Vandenbulcke, Mathieu, Van Damme, Philip, Bruffaerts, Rose, Poesen, Koen, Rosa-Neto, Pedro, Gauthier, Serge, Camuzat, Agnès, Brice, Alexis, Bertrand, Anne, Funkiewiez, Aurélie, Rinaldi, Daisy, Saracino, Dario, Colliot, Olivier, Sayah, Sabrina, Prix, Catharina, Wlasich, Elisabeth, Wagemann, Olivia, Loosli, Sandra, Schönecker, Sonja, Hoegen, Tobias, Lombardi, Jolina, Anderl-Straub, Sarah, Rollin, Adeline, Kuchcinski, Gregory, Bertoux, Maxime, Lebouvier, Thibaud, Deramecourt, Vincent, Santiago, Beatriz, Duro, Diana, Leitão, Maria João, Almeida, Maria Rosario, Tábuas-Pereira, Miguel, Afonso, Sónia, Samra, Kiran, MacDougall, Amy M., Bouzigues, Arabella, Bocchetta, Martina, Cash, David M., Greaves, Caroline V., Convery, Rhian S., van Swieten, John C., Jiskoot, Lize, Seelaar, Harro, Moreno, Fermin, Sanchez-Valle, Raquel, Laforce, Robert, Graff, Caroline, Masellis, Mario, Tartaglia, Maria Carmela, Rowe, James B., Borroni, Barbara, Finger, Elizabeth, Synofzik, Matthis, Galimberti, Daniela, Vandenberghe, Rik, de Mendonça, Alexandre, Butler, Chris R., Gerhard, Alex, Ducharme, Simon, Le Ber, Isabelle, Tiraboschi, Pietro, Santana, Isabel, Pasquier, Florence, Levin, Johannes, Otto, Markus, Sorbi, Sandro, Rohrer, Jonathan D., and Russell, Lucy L.
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- 2023
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38. Galectin-3 is elevated in CSF and is associated with Aβ deposits and tau aggregates in brain tissue in Alzheimer’s disease
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Boza-Serrano, Antonio, Vrillon, Agathe, Minta, Karolina, Paulus, Agnes, Camprubí-Ferrer, Lluís, Garcia, Megg, Andreasson, Ulf, Antonell, Anna, Wennström, Malin, Gouras, Gunnar, Dumurgier, Julien, Cognat, Emmanuel, Molina-Porcel, Laura, Balasa, Mircea, Vitorica, Javier, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, Paquet, Claire, Venero, Jose Luis, Blennow, Kaj, and Deierborg, Tomas
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- 2022
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39. Differential Gene Expression in Sporadic and Genetic Forms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia in Brain Tissue and Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
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Ramos-Campoy, Oscar, Lladó, Albert, Bosch, Beatriz, Ferrer, Mireia, Pérez-Millan, Agnès, Vergara, Miguel, Molina-Porcel, Laura, Fort-Aznar, Laura, Gonzalo, Ricardo, Moreno-Izco, Fermín, Fernandez-Villullas, Guadalupe, Balasa, Mircea, Sánchez-Valle, Raquel, and Antonell, Anna
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- 2022
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40. The Immunomodulatory Potential of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Multiple Sclerosis
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Laura Barcutean, Smaranda Maier, Mihai Burai-Patrascu, Lenard Farczadi, and Rodica Balasa
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multiple sclerosis ,butyrate ,propionate ,acetate ,valerate ,short-chain fatty acids ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder, characterized by focal inflammation, demyelination, irreversible axonal loss and neurodegeneration. The proposed mechanism involves auto-reactive T lymphocytes crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB), contributing to inflammation and demyelination. Pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes are pivotal in MS pathogenesis, highlighting an imbalanced interaction with regulatory T cells. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota, characterized by microbial imbalance is implicated in systemic inflammation, yet its exact role in MS remains elusive. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including valerate, butyrate, propionate, and acetate, produced through dietary fiber fermentation by the gut microbiota, modulate inflammation and immune responses. Particularly, butyrate and propionate exhibit pronounced anti-inflammatory effects in both the gut and CNS. These SCFAs influence regulatory T lymphocyte expression and BBB permeability. This review discusses the potential therapeutic implications of SCFA in MS, highlighting their ability to modulate the gut–brain axis and restore immune balance.
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- 2024
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41. Long-Term Disability Outcomes in Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Impact of Clinical and Demographic Factors on Disease Progression
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Laura Barcutean, Smaranda Maier, Zoltan Bajko, Adina Stoian, Oana Mosora, Emanuela Sarmasan, Ion-Bogdan Manescu, and Rodica Balasa
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multiple sclerosis ,progression ,relapsing–remitting ,secondary-progressive ,EDSS ,Medicine - Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The main evolving forms, relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS), lack clear delineation. Methods: We conducted an observational study on 523 Caucasian RRMS patients receiving first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), analyzing demographic, clinical, and geographical data. Results: RRMS patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in relapse rates post-DMT initiation. Significant differences in time to reach an Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) of 3.0 and 6.0 were observed based on demographics and onset topography. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the onset with optic or supratentorial symptoms is linked to a longer time until EDSS = 3.0 is reached. Urban origin correlated with a prolonged time until EDSS = 3.0. Gender and environment showed no significant associations with the hazard of reaching an EDSS = 6.0. Cox regression analysis revealed no significant impact of relapses on the time to reach EDSS scores of 3.0 and 6.0 in our study cohort. Conclusions: Multivariate analysis identified several predictive factors for disability progression, including environment, age at onset, and disability level at DMT initiation.
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- 2024
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42. Physiotherapy Intervention on Premature Infants—A Pilot Study
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Daniela Parau, Anamaria Butila Todoran, and Rodica Balasa
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premature ,motor development ,physiotherapy ,Bobath ,infants ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Background and Objectives: Considering the fact that prematurity echoes in terms of motor development even up to the age of adolescence, through the presence of deficiencies, the importance of starting kinetotherapeutic treatment as soon as possible is highlighted, even in the absence of brain damage or obvious motor delays. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the factors that influence the level of motor development of premature babies up to 9 months and identify the motor development curve of premature babies according to the three stages of motor development: the position of symmetrical support on the elbows at 3 months, sitting with support at 6 months, and verticalization at 9 months. Materials and Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted within a rehabilitation facility located in Targu Mureș, Romania, spanning a duration of 2 years from June 2021 to 2023. Results: The study involved a population of 78 children, all premature infants, selected from the patient pool of the rehabilitation facility, specifically chosen based on adherence to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined in the study protocol. Two physiotherapists specialized in child recovery were involved in the study, and one performed the assessments and the other applied the Bobath therapy. Conclusions: Early physiotherapy interventions can have a positive influence in terms of reducing differences in motor development between preterm and full-term infants. This study identified several factors that influence the motor development of premature infants. Among these, the most prominent biological factors were gestational age and birth weight.
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- 2024
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43. Factors Influencing the Duration of Rehabilitation in Infants with Torticollis—A Pilot Study
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Daniela Parau, Anamaria Butila Todoran, and Rodica Balasa
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torticollis ,Vojta therapy ,intervention ,infant ,rehabilitation ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Background and Objectives: Torticollis is a common pediatric condition, with an incidence of 0.3–2.0%. Studies show that an adequate, tailored, and early treatment helps 90% to 95% of children recover before the first year of life and 97% of patients recover if treatment starts before the first six months. To identify the relationships between variables considered essential in the recovery process of infants with torticollis, we included factors such as the type of torticollis, age at onset of treatment, gender, birth weight, mode of delivery, fetal position in the uterus, the presence of craniofacial deformities, regions affected by postural asymmetries, and duration of the rehabilitation program. The hypothesis of the study is that early initiation of therapy can contribute to achieving favorable outcomes in the recovery process. Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort pilot study was conducted within a rehabilitation facility, spanning a duration of 1 year. The study involved a population of 41 children aged between 0 and 6 months. The rehabilitation program consisted of the application of Vojta therapy. Each session lasted 20 min, with a frequency of three times per week. Results: A total of 41% of those who started therapy in the first 3 months of life were fully recovered after 4–6 weeks of therapy. Of infants who started therapy at 5 and 6 months of age, 15% showed no improvement in measurements from 14 to 16 weeks of age, at which point the use of a cranial orthosis was recommended, and 23% experienced a plateau in measurements from 10 to 14 weeks, requiring the use of a cervical collar in conjunction with therapy. Conclusions: The findings from the study suggest that there may be a correlation between early initiation of therapy and favorable outcomes in the recovery process. The primary factors influencing the duration of recovery were identified as the presence of body asymmetries and the age at which therapy was initiated.
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- 2024
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44. Early neurotransmitters changes in prodromal frontotemporal dementia: A GENFI study
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Esteve, Aitana Sogorb, Heller, Carolin, Greaves, Caroline V., Zetterberg, Henrik, Swift, Imogen J., Samra, Kiran, Shafei, Rachelle, Timberlake, Carolyn, Cope, Thomas, Rittman, Timothy, Arighi, Andrea, Fenoglio, Chiara, Scarpini, Elio, Fumagalli, Giorgio, Borracci, Vittoria, Rossi, Giacomina, Giaccone, Giorgio, Di Fede, Giuseppe, Caroppo, Paola, Tiraboschi, Pietro, Prioni, Sara, Redaelli, Veronica, Tang-Wai, David, Rogaeva, Ekaterina, Castelo-Branco, Miguel, Freedman, Morris, Keren, Ron, Black, Sandra, Mitchell, Sara, Shoesmith, Christen, Bartha, Robart, Rademakers, Rosa, Poos, Jackie, Papma, Janne M., Giannini, Lucia, van Minkelen, Rick, Pijnenburg, Yolande, Nacmias, Benedetta, Ferrari, Camilla, Polito, Cristina, Lombardi, Gemma, Bessi, Valentina, Veldsman, Michele, Andersson, Christin, Thonberg, Hakan, Öijerstedt, Linn, Jelic, Vesna, Thompson, Paul, Langheinrich, Tobias, Lladó, Albert, Antonell, Anna, Olives, Jaume, Balasa, Mircea, Bargalló, Nuria, Borrego-Ecija, Sergi, Verdelho, Ana, Maruta, Carolina, Ferreira, Catarina B., Miltenberger, Gabriel, do Couto, Frederico Simões, Gabilondo, Alazne, Gorostidi, Ana, Villanua, Jorge, Cañada, Marta, Tainta, Mikel, Zulaica, Miren, Barandiaran, Myriam, Alves, Patricia, Bender, Benjamin, Wilke, Carlo, Graf, Lisa, Vogels, Annick, Vandenbulcke, Mathieu, Van Damme, Philip, Bruffaerts, Rose, Poesen, Koen, Rosa-Neto, Pedro, Gauthier, Serge, Camuzat, Agnès, Brice, Alexis, Bertrand, Anne, Funkiewiez, Aurélie, Rinaldi, Daisy, Saracino, Dario, Colliot, Olivier, Sayah, Sabrina, Prix, Catharina, Wlasich, Elisabeth, Wagemann, Olivia, Loosli, Sandra, Schönecker, Sonja, Hoegen, Tobias, Lombardi, Jolina, Anderl-Straub, Sarah, Rollin, Adeline, Kuchcinski, Gregory, Bertoux, Maxime, Lebouvier, Thibaud, Deramecourt, Vincent, Santiago, Beatriz, Duro, Diana, Leitão, Maria João, Almeida, Maria Rosario, Tábuas-Pereira, Miguel, Afonso, Sónia, Premi, Enrico, Pengo, Marta, Mattioli, Irene, Cantoni, Valentina, Dukart, Juergen, Gasparotti, Roberto, Buratti, Emanuele, Padovani, Alessandro, Bocchetta, Martina, Todd, Emily G., Bouzigues, Arabella, Cash, David M., Convery, Rhian S., Russell, Lucy L., Foster, Phoebe, Thomas, David L., van Swieten, John C., Jiskoot, Lize C., Seelaar, Harro, Galimberti, Daniela, Sanchez-Valle, Raquel, Laforce, Robert, Jr, Moreno, Fermin, Synofzik, Matthis, Graff, Caroline, Masellis, Mario, Tartaglia, Maria Carmela, Rowe, James B., Tsvetanov, Kamen A., Vandenberghe, Rik, Finger, Elizabeth, de Mendonça, Alexandre, Santana, Isabel, Butler, Chris R., Ducharme, Simon, Gerhard, Alexander, Levin, Johannes, Otto, Markus, Sorbi, Sandro, Le Ber, Isabelle, Pasquier, Florence, Rohrer, Jonathan D., and Borroni, Barbara
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- 2023
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45. Improving the Performance of an Aerodynamic Profile by Testing in the Subsonic Wind Tunnel
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Eliza-Ioana, Apostol, Raluca, Bălașa, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Gomide, Fernando, Advisory Editor, Kaynak, Okyay, Advisory Editor, Liu, Derong, Advisory Editor, Pedrycz, Witold, Advisory Editor, Polycarpou, Marios M., Advisory Editor, Rudas, Imre J., Advisory Editor, Wang, Jun, Advisory Editor, Karabegović, Isak, editor, Kovačević, Ahmed, editor, and Mandžuka, Sadko, editor
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- 2022
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46. Early‐onset Alzheimer's disease shows a distinct neuropsychological profile and more aggressive trajectories of cognitive decline than late‐onset
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Adrià Tort‐Merino, Neus Falgàs, Isabel E. Allen, Mircea Balasa, Jaume Olives, José Contador, Magdalena Castellví, Jordi Juncà‐Parella, Núria Guillén, Sergi Borrego‐Écija, Bea Bosch, Guadalupe Fernández‐Villullas, Oscar Ramos‐Campoy, Anna Antonell, Lorena Rami, Raquel Sánchez‐Valle, and Albert Lladó
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Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry ,RC321-571 ,Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,RC346-429 - Abstract
Abstract Objectives Early‐ and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD and LOAD) share the same neuropathological traits but show distinct cognitive features. We aimed to explore baseline and longitudinal outcomes of global and domain‐specific cognitive function in a well characterized cohort of patients with a biomarker‐based diagnosis. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 195 participants were included and classified according to their age, clinical status, and CSF AD biomarker profile: 89 EOAD, 37 LOAD, 46 young healthy controls (age ≤ 65 years), and 23 old healthy controls (>65 years). All subjects underwent clinical and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, APOE genotyping and lumbar puncture. Results We found distinct neuropsychological profiles between EOAD and LOAD at the time of diagnosis. Both groups showed similar performances on memory and language domains, but the EOAD patients displayed worsened deficits in visual perception, praxis, and executive tasks (p
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- 2022
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47. Cortical and white matter anatomy relevant for the lateral and superior approaches to resect intraaxial lesions within the frontal lobe
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Tomasz Andrzej Dziedzic, Aleksandra Bala, Artur Balasa, Agnieszka Olejnik, and Andrzej Marchel
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Despite being associated with high-order neurocognitive functions, the frontal lobe plays an important role in core neurological functions, such as motor and language functions. The aim of this study was to present a neurosurgical perspective of the cortical and subcortical anatomy of the frontal lobe in terms of surgical treatment of intraaxial frontal lobe lesions. We also discuss the results of direct brain mapping when awake craniotomy is performed. Ten adult cerebral hemispheres were prepared for white matter dissection according to the Klingler technique. Intraaxial frontal lobe lesions are approached with a superior or lateral trajectory during awake conditions. The highly eloquent cortex within the frontal lobe is identified within the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and precentral gyrus. The trajectory of the approach is mainly related to the position of the lesion in relation to the arcuate fascicle/superior longitudinal fascicle complex and ventricular system. Knowledge of the cortical and subcortical anatomy and its function within the frontal lobe is essential for preoperative planning and predicting the risk of immediate and long-term postoperative deficits. This allows surgeons to properly set the extent of the resection and type of approach during preoperative planning.
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- 2022
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48. Thalamic nuclei changes in early and late onset Alzheimer's disease
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Forno, Gonzalo, Saranathan, Manojkumar, Contador, Jose, Guillen, Nuria, Falgàs, Neus, Tort-Merino, Adrià, Balasa, Mircea, Sanchez-Valle, Raquel, Hornberger, Michael, and Lladó, Albert
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- 2023
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49. Awareness of Diagnosis in Persons with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease: An Observational Study in Spain
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Villarejo-Galende, Alberto, García-Arcelay, Elena, Piñol-Ripoll, Gerard, del Olmo-Rodríguez, Antonio, Viñuela, Félix, Boada, Mercè, Franco-Macías, Emilio, de la Peña, Almudena Ibañez, Riverol, Mario, Puig-Pijoan, Albert, Abizanda-Soler, Pedro, Arroyo, Rafael, Baquero-Toledo, Miquel, Feria-Vilar, Inmaculada, Balasa, Mircea, Berbel, Ángel, Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Eloy, Vieira-Campos, Alba, García-Ribas, Guillermo, Rodrigo-Herrero, Silvia, Lleó, Albert, and Maurino, Jorge
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- 2022
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50. INTEGRASI BUDAYA KAMPUNG NAGA SEBAGAI MITIGASI BENCANA DI KABUPATEN TASIKMALAYA PROVINSI JAWA BARAT
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Setio Galih Marlyono, Tineu Indrianeu, and Elgar Balasa Singkawijaya
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cultural integration ,disaster mitigation ,naga village ,local culture ,Geography (General) ,G1-922 ,Education - Abstract
Disasters are a threat to all people living in Indonesia, as a logical consequence of Indonesia's geological conditions. Almost all regions of Indonesia have the potential for disasters. Especially for the West Java Province, especially the Regency on the south coast which has various kinds of disaster threats, such as Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Landslides, and even Fires. Likewise in Tasikmalaya Regency, in this case the Naga traditional village community. The touch of local wisdom in disaster mitigation is very interesting to learn in Kampung Naga. The research method uses a descriptive method with a field survey technique (Field Study). The results showed that, for earthquake disasters, it was minimized by the use of the dominant house material from bamboo and consuming the system of houses on stilts to dampen vibrations. In the case of landslides, on sloping land, this is handled by using stone terraces. As for the fire disaster, using a method of using a different room woven system for each room to minimize the appearance of fire so that it can be detected from outside the house.
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- 2022
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