Predicting 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants using multimodal structural brain magnetic resonance imaging with local connectivity.

The neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants can be stratified based on the level of prematurity. We explored brain structural networks in extremely preterm (EP; < 28 weeks of gestation) and very-to-late (V-LP; ≥ 28 and < 37 weeks of gestation) preterm infants at term-equivalent age to predict 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes. Using MRI and diffusion MRI on 62 EP and 131 V-LP infants, we built a multimodal feature set for volumetric and structural network analysis. We employed linear and nonlinear machine learning models to predict the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) scores, assessing predictive accuracy and feature importance. Our findings revealed that models incorporating local connectivity features demonstrated high predictive performance for BSID-III subsets in preterm infants. Specifically, for cognitive scores in preterm (variance explained, 17%) and V-LP infants (variance explained, 17%), and for motor scores in EP infants (variance explained, 15%), models with local connectivity features outperformed others. Additionally, a model using only local connectivity features effectively predicted language scores in preterm infants (variance explained, 15%). This study underscores the value of multimodal feature sets, particularly local connectivity, in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes, highlighting the utility of machine learning in understanding microstructural changes and their implications for early intervention.

Transient Isolated Lower Bulbar Palsy With Elevated Serum Anti-GM1 and Anti-GD1b Antibodies During Aripiprazole Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Transient bulbar palsy without involvement of the facial or extraocular muscles is a rare presentation. It is considered a form of cranial polyneuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome that is related to the autoimmune mechanisms induced by preceding infections or vaccinations. However, drug-induced cranial polyneuropathy has not previously been reported. We describe a boy with isolated bulbar palsy and positive serum antiganglioside antibodies during aripiprazole treatment. PATIENT DESCRIPTION: This 12-year-old boy was admitted with a seven-day history of dysarthria, tongue discomfort, and tinnitus. Three weeks before symptom onset, aripiprazole was added to the patient's medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. On examination, he showed curtaining of the pharyngeal wall, tongue fasciculation and deviation, and a weak gag reflex. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging suggested lower cranial nerve involvement. Serum anti-GM1 IgG and anti-GD1b IgG antibodies were positive. After stopping aripiprazole, his bulbar symptoms improved. However, on readministration of aripiprazole seven weeks later, dysarthria recurred and again resolved after stopping the drug. CONCLUSION: We describe the first patient with anti-GM1 IgG and anti-GD1b IgG antibodies-associated transient cranial polyneuropathy presenting as isolated bulbar palsy. These findings could be an adverse effect of aripiprazole treatment.

Hierarchically Assembled Nanofibers Created by a Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly.

We report the hierarchically assembled nanofibers created by LbL self-assembly depending on the PSS-PAA fraction in the blend solutions and pH during bulid-up of the PAH/(PSS-PAA) multilayer films. The multilayer [(PEI/blend)/(PAH/blend)4] films with ρPAA (PSS-PAA fraction in the blend solutions) = 0.0 in the blend solution exhibited surface morphologies of randomly isolated globular clusters, while at ρPAA = 0.75, worm-like morphologies were observed. Interestingly, the multilayer [(PEI/blend)/(PAH/blend)4 films with ρPAA = 0.9 exhibited unique fibrous morphologies with the diameter of about 50 nm at narrower pH range from 3.5 to 4.2, but also the fiber diameter distribution was narrower. Based on the thickness from the X-ray reflectivity, the thickness of the one bilayer multilayer film seemed to be 8.6 nm. The 3 bilayers multilayer film seemed to be formed as islands with very large roughness. The crystal sizes of the 3 bilayers and 5 bilayers multilayer films were about 71 nm and 123 nm, respectively. The resultant films were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and real-time in situ X-ray scattering measurements.

Highly Aligned Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) Nanofibers via Electrospinning Technique.

We report on the simple way of obtaining aligned poly(vinylidiene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers by electrospinning process. The collector drum rotation speed was adjusted to prepare well aligned PVDF-HFP nanofibers. The degree of alignment and the orientation of PVDF-HFP nanofibers can be significantly altered by varying the speed of collector drum rotation. The resultant PVDF-HFP nanofibers were systematically characterized. From the scanning electron microscopy data, it was found that the electrospun PVDF-HFP nanofibers were formed with well-aligned nature. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the electrospun PVDF-HFP nanofibers with ß-phase can be formed by the increased collector drum rotation speed. Overall, the collector rotation speed during the electrospinning process plays an important role in obtaining well-aligned and improved characteristics of PVDF-HFP nanofibers.

Hair Zinc Level Analysis and Correlative Micronutrients in Children Presenting with Malnutrition and Poor Growth.

PURPOSE: Zinc deficiency can induce serious clinical problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and immune system and can affect growth and development. It is more severe in younger patients. Chronic zinc deficiency is reflected more precisely in hair than in serum. We studied hair zinc levels and other hair and serum micronutrients in chronic malnourished children to identify which micronutrients are affected or correlated with the other ones. METHODS: Hair mineral analyses were performed in 56 children (age, 1-15 years) presenting with malnutrition, poor growth, poor appetite, anorexia, with/without other GI symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation) from August 2012 to March 2015. Biochemical studies for macronutrients and major micronutrients were also conducted. RESULTS: Hair zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 88%, and serum zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 55% of the children. There was no statistical correlation between serum and tissue zinc level. Hair zinc levels were highly correlated with serum vitamin D (r=-0.479, p=0.001), which also showed correlation with hair levels of magnesium and calcium. (r=0.564, 0.339, p=0.001, 0.011). Hair calcium level was correlated with serum pre-albumin (r=0.423, p=0.001). These correlations may explain the phenomenon that the major clinical manifestation of zinc deficiency is poor body growth. Clinical symptoms were resolved in most children after zinc supplementation. CONCLUSION: Hair zinc and mineral analyses are useful as a therapeutic guide in the clinical investigation of children with malnutrition and poor growth.

Auto-stereoscopic 3D displays with reduced crosstalk.

In this paper, we propose new auto-stereoscopic 3D displays that substantially reduce crosstalk. In general, it is difficult to eliminate crosstalk in auto-stereoscopic 3D displays. Ideally, the parallax barrier can eliminate crosstalk for a single viewer at the ideal position. However, due to variations in the viewing distance and the interpupillary distance, crosstalk is a problem in parallax barrier displays. In this paper, we propose 3-dimensional barriers, which can significantly reduce crosstalk.