Abnormal brain spontaneous neural activity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with neuropathic pain.

Background: Neuropathic pain is one of the most common symptoms in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Notwithstanding, its underlying mechanism remains obscure. Methods: The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) metric was employed to investigate spontaneous neural activity alterations via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-MRI) data from a 3.0 T MRI scanner, in a sample of 26 patients diagnosed with NMOSD with neuropathic pain (NMOSD-WNP), 20 patients with NMOSD but without neuropathic pain (NMOSD-WoNP), and 38 healthy control (HC) subjects matched for age and sex without the comorbidity of depressive or anxious symptoms. Results: It was observed that patients with NMOSD-WNP displayed a significant ALFF decrease in the left amygdala and right anterior insula, relative to both patients with NMOSD-WoNP and HC subjects. Furthermore, ALFF values in the left amygdala were negatively correlated with the scores of the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions and McGill Pain Questionnaire (both sensory and affective descriptors) in patients with NMOSD-WNP. Additionally, there were negative correlations between the ALFF values in the right anterior insula and the duration of pain and the number of relapses in patients with NMOSD-WNP. Conclusion: The present study characterizes spontaneous neural activity changes in brain regions associated with sensory and affective processing of pain and its modulation, which underscore the central aspects in patients with NMOSD-WNP. These findings might contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of neuropathic pain in NMOSD.

Theory of mind and facial emotion recognition in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy: A meta-analysis.

Background: Mounting studies have investigated impairments in social cognitive domains (including theory of mind [ToM] and facial emotion recognition [FER] in adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, to date, inconsistent findings remain. Methods: A search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases was conducted until December 2021. Hedges g effect sizes were computed with a random-effects model. Meta-regressions were used to assess the potential confounding factors of between-study variability in effect sizes. Results: The meta-analysis included 41 studies, with a combined sample of 1,749 adult patients with TLE and 1,324 healthy controls (HCs). Relative to HCs, adult patients with TLE showed large impairments in ToM (g = -0.92) and cognitive ToM (g = -0.92), followed by medium impairments in affective ToM (g = -0.79) and FER (g = -0.77). Besides, no (statistically) significant differences were observed between the magnitude of social cognition impairment in adult with TLE who underwent and those who did not undergo epilepsy surgery. Meta-regressions exhibited that greater severity of executive functioning was associated with more severe ToM defects, and older age was associated with more severe FER defects. Conclusions: Results of this meta-analysis suggest that adult patients with TLE show differential impairments in the core aspects of social cognitive domains (including ToM and FER), which may help in planning individualized treatment with appropriate cognitive and behavioral interventions.

Social cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy: A meta-analysis.

Many studies have investigated impairments in two key domains of social cognition (theory of mind [ToM] and facial emotion recognition [FER]) in children and adolescents with epilepsy. However, inconsistent conclusions were found. Our objective was to characterize social cognition performance of children and adolescents with epilepsy. A literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases. The article retrieval, screening, quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale), and data extraction were performed independently by two investigators. A random-effects model was used to examine estimates. The meta-analysis included 19 studies, with a combined sample of 623 children and adolescents with epilepsy (mean [SD] age, 12.13 [2.62] years; 46.1% female) and 677 healthy controls [HCs]) (mean [SD] age, 11.48 [2.71] years; 50.7% female). The results revealed that relative to HCs, children and adolescents with epilepsy exhibited deficits in ToM (g = -1.08, 95% CI [-1.38, -0.78], p < 0.001, the number of studies [k] = 13), FER (g = -0.98, 95% CI [-1.33, -0.64], p < 0.001, k = 12), and ToM subcomponents (cognitive ToM: g = -1.04, 95% CI [-1.35, -0.72], p < 0.001, k = 12] and affective ToM: g = -0.73, 95% CI [-1.12, -0.34], p < 0.001, k = 8). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in social cognition deficits between children and adolescents with focal epilepsy and generalized epilepsy. Meta-regressions confirmed the robustness of the results. These quantitative results further deepen our understanding of the two core domains of social cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and may assist in the development of cognitive interventions for this patient population. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-3-0011/, identifier INPLASY202230011.

Theory of Mind and Empathy in Adults With Epilepsy: A Meta-Analysis.

Mounting evidence suggests that social cognitive abilities [including theory of mind (ToM) and empathy] are impaired in adult patients with epilepsy. Although the deficits in overall ToM in epilepsy have been documented well, the effects of epilepsy on empathic ability and specific subcomponents of ToM remain unclear. The primary aim of this study was to provide the first meta-analytic integration of ToM and empathy in adult patients with epilepsy, and to decompose these constructs to clearly differentiate their distinct (cognitive ToM and affective empathy) and overlapping (affective ToM/cognitive empathy) components. This meta-analysis included 28 studies. Adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) showed impairments in cognitive ToM and affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the healthy controls (HCs); no group differences were identified for affective empathy. Besides, cognitive ToM was impaired in adult patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and focal seizures (caused by epileptogenic foci) outside the temporal and frontal lobes (extra-TLE/FLE) and no group differences were evident for affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the HCs. Moreover, relative to the HCs, no group differences were identified for affective empathy in adult patients with IGE. Additionally, no (statistically) significant difference was observed between the magnitude of ToM/empathy impairment in adult patients who underwent and those who did not undergo epilepsy surgery. These quantitative findings suggest differential impairment of the core aspects of social cognitive processing in adult patients with epilepsy, which may contribute to the development of structured cognitive interventions (i.e., social cognitive training) for adult patients with epilepsy.

Role of circular RNA in myocardial ischemia and ageing-related diseases.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a new endogenous transcription product, which has attracted significant attention in RNA biology research.CircRNA comprise exons or introns involved in regulation of various mechanisms.These molecules are stable and species-specific, as well as cell and tissue-specific.Cardiovascular diseases particularly myocardial ischemia and ageing-related diseases, pose a major health care burden and novel treatments and biomarkers should be explored.Recent findings indicate that circRNAs are implicated in biological processes, such as glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biosynthesis, implying that they are potential targets for myocardial ischemia treatment.In the present review, the functions of circRNAs in the heart are described, with emphasis given on in the relationship with myocardial ischemia and cardiac aging-related diseases.Directions for future research are also summarized.

Social cognition in multiple sclerosis and its subtypes: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease that disrupts several social cognitive abilities, including the theory of mind (ToM) and facial emotion recognition (FER). It is unclear how specific ToM subcomponents, including cognitive and affective ToM, are affected in patients with MS and the social cognitive abilities in MS subtypes. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases was conducted until June 2020. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges g with a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 45 studies were included. Relative to health controls (HCs), patients with MS and its subtypes (including relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS] and progressive MS) exhibited impairments in ToM (g = -0.77, g = -0.70, g = -0.75, respectively), cognitive ToM (g = -0.72, g = -0.83, g = -0.73, respectively), affective ToM (g = -0.84, g = -0.63, g = -0. 50, respectively), and FER (g = -0.62, g = -0.53, g = -1.07, respectively). In addition, there was no difference between progressive primary MS and secondary progressive MS in overall ToM, cognitive ToM, affective ToM, and FER. Compared to patients with RRMS, patients with progressive MS showed no difference in overall ToM, cognitive ToM, and affective ToM but had more serious defects in FER (g = -0.57). CONCLUSIONS: These quantitative results indicate that patients with MS and its subtypes have a differential impairment of the core aspects of social cognitive processing (including ToM and FER), which may help develop the structured social cognitive interventions in MS.

Empathy and Theory of Mind in Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Studies have shown that MS disrupts several social cognitive abilities [including empathy and theory of mind (ToM)]. Overall ToM deficits in MS are well documented, but how the specific ToM subcomponents and empathic capacity are affected remains unclear. For this meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to July 2020. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges g with a random-effects model. Thirty-three studies were included. Relative to healthy controls (HCs), patients with MS were moderately impaired in overall empathy (g = -0.67), overall ToM (g = -74), cognitive ToM (g = -0.72), and the overlapping domains of cognitive empathy/affective ToM (g = -0.79); no group differences were identified for affective empathy (g = -0.19). Compared with HCs, patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS were impaired in overall empathy, overall ToM, cognitive ToM, and cognitive empathy/affective ToM, without significant RRMS-progressive MS differences in impairment degree. We conducted the first meta-analytic review investigating the empathy and ToM functioning patterns in patients with MS and examined the overlapping and distinct subcomponents of these constructs. The findings suggest differential impairment of the core aspects of social cognitive processing in patients with MS, which may importantly inform the development of structured social cognitive MS interventions.

Sequential Sonogashira/intramolecular aminopalladation/cross-coupling of ortho-ethynyl-anilines catalyzed by a single palladium source: rapid access to 2,3-diarylindoles.

We have developed a practical and efficient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 2,3-diarylindoles via Pd-catalyzed bis-arylative cyclization of various o-ethynylanilines with aryl iodides. Mechanism studies showed that a Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction took place firstly, giving an internal alkyne intermediate, which subsequently underwent intramolecular aminopalladation/cross-coupling to give access to 2,3-diarylindoles. The present methodology exhibits a broad substrate scope, producing various 2,3-diaryl indoles bearing two different aryl groups.

Catalytic Arylative Endo Cyclization of Gold Acetylides: Access to 3,4-Diphenyl Isoquinoline, 2,3-Diphenyl Indole, and Mesoionic Normal NHC-Gold Complex.

3,4-Diphenyl isoquinoline and 2,3-diphenyl indole are readily accessed by catalytic selective bis-arylative endo cyclization of gold acetylides. The synthetic approach could be also extended to prepare six-membered mesoionic NHC complex, which could further undergo deprotonation/complexation to afford 1,3-N-heterocyclic dicarbene (NHDCs) Au2 and Au/Ag complexes. The key vicinal diaurated alkene intermediates have been isolated and the studies on their reactivities towards coupling partners reinforce the proposed mechanisms.

Social cognition in multiple sclerosis and its subtypes: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and degenerative neurological disorder of the central nervous system. Cognitive impairment is frequent in MS patients, which not only includes deficits in abilities assessed by traditional neuropsychological batteries, but also often features impairments in social cognition (including theory of mind and facial emotion recognition). Recently, numerous studies have assessed social cognition performance in MS. However, there have been inconsistent findings. Besides, it is not clear how social cognitive abilities are affected in MS subtypes. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to characterize social cognition performance in MS and its subtypes (clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, progressive primary MS, and secondary progressive MS). METHODS: Literature sources will be divided into 2 sections: electronic sources and manual sources. A systematic literature search will be performed for eligible studies published up to June 10, 2020 in 3 international databases (Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science). In addition, manual sources will be searched, such as the references of all included studies. Two researchers will independently conduct the work such as article retrieval, screening, quality evaluation, data collection. Meta-analysis will be conducted using Stata 15.0 software. RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis will provide a high-quality synthesis from existing evidence for social cognition performance in MS and its subtypes. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070028.

Empathy and theory of mind in multiple sclerosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, numerous studies have shown that MS disrupts a number of social cognitive abilities, including empathy, theory of mind (ToM), and facial emotion recognition. In contrast to well-documented deficits in the core social cognitive domains of ToM and facial emotion recognition, it is not clear the broad and specific subcomponents of empathy processing affected. In addition, the specific subcomponents of ToM affected in MS are also unclear. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the performance of empathy and ToM in MS. METHODS: A systematic literature search will be performed for eligible studies published up to July 1st, 2020 in 3 international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase). The work such as article retrieval, screen, quality evaluation, data collection will be conducted by 2 independent researchers. Meta-analysis will be performed using Stata 15.0 software. RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis will provide a high-quality synthesis from existing evidence for the performance of empathy and ToM in MS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070029.

Pd-Promoted cross coupling of iodobenzene with vinylgold via an unprecedented phenyl transmetalation from Pd to Au.

A novel Pd/Au vinylene complex synthesized through cyclization of σ,π-heterodinuclear (Pd/Au) acetylide reacted with iodobenzene to give a Pd vinyl species, where the presence of a strong metallophilic PdAu interaction was found to facilitate phenyl transmetalation from Pd to Au, followed by reductive elimination at Au.

Grey matter anomalies in drug-naïve childhood absence epilepsy: A voxel-based morphometry study with MRI at 3.0T.

BACKGROUND: Little is known, so far, about the cerebral structural abnormalities in drug-naïve patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). We aimed to investigate regional grey matter (GM) volume differences using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in patients and closely matched healthy control subjects. METHODS: Twenty drug-naïve patients diagnosed with CAE and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were recruited. All participants underwent structural MRI scans with a 3.0T MR system. The differences in regional GM volumes between the two groups were determined by VBM analysis. Additional regression analyses were performed to identify any associations between regional GM volume and clinical seizure variables. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the patients with CAE showed less GM volume in the bilateral thalami. Furthermore, the GM volume in the bilateral thalami was negatively correlated with disease duration and age of onset in the CAE group. CONCLUSIONS: By excluding the potential effect of medication on brain structures, our study demonstrates less GM volume in the bilateral thalami in drug-naïve patients with idiopathic CAE. Our study further provides structural neuroimaging evidence on the pathophysiology of absence seizures.