Basal gonadotropin levels combine with pelvic ultrasound and pituitary volume: a machine learning diagnostic model of idiopathic central precocious puberty.

OBJECTIVE: The current diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) relies on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) stimulation test, which requires multiple invasive blood sampling procedures. The aim of this study was to construct machine learning models incorporating basal pubertal hormone levels, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pelvic ultrasound parameters to predict the response of precocious girls to GnRHa stimulation test. METHODS: This retrospective study included 455 girls diagnosed with precocious puberty who underwent transabdominal pelvic ultrasound, brain MRI examinations and GnRHa stimulation testing were retrospectively reviewed. They were randomly assigned to the training or internal validation set in an 8:2 ratio. Four machine learning classifiers were developed to identify girls with CPP, including logistic regression, random forest, light gradient boosting (LightGBM), and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under receiver operating characteristic (AUC) and F1 score of the models were measured. RESULTS: The participates were divided into an idiopathic CPP group (n = 263) and a non-CPP group (n = 192). All machine learning classifiers used achieved good performance in distinguishing CPP group and non-CPP group, with the area under the curve (AUC) ranging from 0.72 to 0.81 in validation set. XGBoost had the highest diagnostic efficacy, with sensitivity of 0.81, specificity of 0.72, and F1 score of 0.80. Basal pubertal hormone levels (including luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol), averaged ovarian volume, and several uterine parameters were predictors in the model. CONCLUSION: The machine learning prediction model we developed has good efficacy for predicting response to GnRHa stimulation tests which could help in the diagnosis of CPP.

Machine learning for differentiating between pancreatobiliary-type and intestinal-type periampullary carcinomas based on CT imaging and clinical findings.

PURPOSE: To develop a diagnostic model for distinguishing pancreatobiliary-type and intestinal-type periampullary adenocarcinomas using preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings combined with clinical characteristics. METHODS: This retrospective study included 140 patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative enhanced CT, including pancreaticobiliary (N = 100) and intestinal (N = 40) types. They were randomly assigned to the training or internal validation set in an 8:2 ratio. Additionally, an independent external cohort of 28 patients was enrolled. Various CT features of the periampullary region were evaluated and data from clinical and laboratory tests were collected. Five machine learning classifiers were developed to identify the histologic type of periampullary adenocarcinoma, including logistic regression, random forest, multi-layer perceptron, light gradient boosting, and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). RESULTS: All machine learning classifiers except multi-layer perceptron used achieved good performance in distinguishing pancreatobiliary-type and intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, with the area under the curve (AUC) ranging from 0.75 to 0.98. The AUC values of the XGBoost classifier in the training set, internal validation set and external validation set are 0.98, 0.89 and 0.84 respectively. The enhancement degree of tumor, the growth pattern of tumor, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 were the most important factors in the model. CONCLUSION: Machine learning models combining CT with clinical features can serve as a noninvasive tool to differentiate the histological subtypes of periampullary adenocarcinoma, in particular using the XGBoost classifier.

Primary pulmonary meningioma: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary meningioma (PPM) is a rare disease that is usually benign. The most common presentation of PPM is isolated pulmonary nodules or masses, so the disease can mimic any other lung tumor on imaging, especially lung cancer or metastasis. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old asymptomatic woman presented with a well-defined, lobulated pulmonary mass with calcification in the left lower lobe. The mass measured 69 mm × 57 mm × 61 mm and was found during a chest computed tomography (CT) performed for physical examination. Contrast-enhanced CT and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT revealed mild enhancement of the mass, with accumulation of 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG). Transbronchial biopsy suggested a provisional diagnosis of low-grade neuroendocrine tumor. Subsequent enhanced head magnetic resonance imaging revealed no positive lesions. An open cuff resection of the left lower lobe and wedge resection of the lingual segment were performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination revealed that the mass was a PPM. CONCLUSION: PPM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated pulmonary masses found incidentally on CT and should be diagnosed based on a combination of radiological and histological features. Surgical resection is currently the main treatment strategy. No recurrence of benign PPMs has been reported after complete resection.

Alterations in Spontaneous Neuronal Activity and Microvascular Density of the Optic Nerve Head in Active Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

Purpose: To investigate changes in local spontaneous brain activity in patients with active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and explore the relationship between such alterations and microvascular indices. Methods: Thirty-six active TAO patients with active phase and 39 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), neuropsychological tests, and ophthalmological examinations. The rs-fMRI-based fractional low-frequency fluctuation amplitude (fALFF) analysis methods were used to assess spontaneous brain activity in both groups. The structure (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, pRNFL) and microvascular indices (the optic nerve head (ONH) whole image vessel density, ONH-wiVD, and peripapillary vessel density) were analyzed through optical coherence tomographic angiography imaging. The relationship between abnormal spontaneous brain activity and ophthalmological indices was analyzed using the Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Results: Compared with HCs, active TAO patients had increased fALFF in the right inferior temporal gyrus (R.ITG) and left posterior cingulate gyrus (L.PCC), but decreased fALFF in the right calcarine (R.CAL). The fALFF values in L.PCC were positively correlated with peripapillary vessel density, whereas fALFF values in R.CAL were negatively related to peripapillary vessel density. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that changes in spontaneous brain activity of active TAO are accompanied by peripapillary microvascular variations. These results provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of active TAO. In addition, the combination of fALFF values and peripapillary vessel density may be served as important references for better clinical decision making.

Sex Differences in Cerebral Blood Flow and Serum Inflammatory Cytokines and Their Relationships in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

This study aimed to investigate sex differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and serum inflammatory cytokines, as well as their correlations in patients with acute-stage mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Forty-one patients with mTBI and 23 matched healthy controls underwent 3D-pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling imaging on 3T magnetic resonance imaging. The patients underwent cognitive evaluations and measurement of a panel of ten serum cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1I, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, interferon-gamma, nerve growth factor-beta (ß-NGF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between inflammation levels and CBF. We found that both male and female patients showed increased IL-1L and IL-6 levels. Female patients also demonstrated overexpression of IL-8 and low expression of IL-4. As for CBF levels, three brain regions [the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG_R), left putamen, and right precuneus] increased in male patients while three brain regions [the right superior temporal gyrus (STG_R), left middle occipital gyrus, and right postcentral (PoCG_R)] decreased in female patients. Furthermore, the STG_R in female controls was positively correlated with ß-NGF while the right PoCG_R in female patients was negatively correlated with IL-8. In addition, compared with male patients, female patients showed decreased CBF in the right pallidum, which was negatively correlated with IL-8. These findings revealed abnormal expression of serum inflammatory cytokines and CBF levels post-mTBI. Females may be more sensitive to inflammatory and CBF changes and thus more likely to get cognitive impairment. This may suggest the need to pay closer attention to the female mTBI group.

Frontal White Matter Hyperintensities Effect on Default Mode Network Connectivity in Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

The functional connectivity of the brain depends not only on the structural integrity of the cortex but also on the white matter pathways between cortical areas. White matter hyperintensities (WMH), caused by chronic hypoperfusion in the white matter, play a role in the outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we investigate how the location and volume of WMH affect the default-mode network (DMN) connectivity in acute mild TBI (mTBI) patients. Forty-six patients with acute mTBI and 46 matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI (fMRI),and neuropsychological assessments. The volume and location of WMH were recorded. The relationships between the WMH volume and clinical assessments were evaluated using Spearman's correlation. Patients with higher frontal lobe WMH volume had more severe post-concussion symptoms and poorer information processing speed. Moreover, these patients had significantly lower functional connectivity in the right middle temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, and left anterior cingulate cortex, compared with patients with low frontal lobe WMH volume. Compared to the controls, the patients with high frontal WMH volume exhibited significantly lower functional connectivity in the right inferior temporal gyrus, left anterior cingulate cortex, and right superior frontal gyrus. These findings suggest that frontal lobe WMH volume may modulate the functional connectivity within the DMN. Therefore, the WMH volume in specific regions of the brain, particularly the frontal and parietal lobes, may accelerate the process of aging and cognitive impairment may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute mTBI.

Lower Posttraumatic α-Synuclein Level Associated With Altered Default Mode Network Connectivity Following Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

This study aimed to investigate the changes of α-synuclein in serum and its relationship with default mode network (DMN) connectivity after acute mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI). Fifty-two patients with mild TBI at the acute phase and 47 matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All participants received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological assessments. Relations between the levels of α-synuclein in serum and clinical assessments were obtained using multivariate linear regression. Results showed that the patients with lower α-synuclein presented more complaints on post-concussion symptoms and depression. Moreover, patients with high levels of α-synuclein exhibited significantly decreased functional connectivity in the left precuneus and increased functional connectivity in both the left anterior cingulate cortex and ventro-medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) compared with patients with low levels of α-synuclein. These findings supported that α-synuclein may modulate the functional connectivity within the DMN and suggest the feasibility of using α-synuclein as an objective biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of mild TBI.

Elevated Serum Levels of Inflammation-Related Cytokines in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Are Associated With Cognitive Performance.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common neurological insult and leads to long-lasting cognitive impairments. The immune system modulates brain functions and plays a key role in cognitive deficits, however, the relationship between TBI-induced changes in inflammation-related cytokine levels and cognitive consequences is unclear. This was investigated in the present study in two cohorts of individuals within 1 week of mTBI (n = 52, n = 43) and 54 matched healthy control subjects. Patients with mTBI were also followed up at 1 and 3 months post-injury. Measures included cognitive assessments and a 9-plex panel of serum cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The contribution of cytokine levels to cognitive function was evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis. The results showed that serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and CCL2 were acutely elevated in mTBI patients relative to controls; CCL2 level was remained high over 3 months whereas IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were declined by 3 months post-injury. A high level of CCL2 was associated with greater severity of post-concussion symptoms (which survived in the multiple testing correction); elevated IL-1ß was associated with worse working memory in acute phase (which failed in correction); and acute high CCL2 level predicted higher information processing speed at 3 months post-injury (which failed in correction). Thus, acute serum cytokine levels are useful for evaluating post-concussion symptoms and predicting cognitive outcome in participants with mTBI.

Preliminary Evidence of Sex Differences in Cortical Thickness Following Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate sex differences in cortical thickness after acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and its associations with clinical outcomes. Thirty-two patients with mTBI at acute phase (2.4 ± 1.3 days post-injury) and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. All the participants underwent comprehensive neurocognitive assessments and MRI to assess cortical thickness. Significant sex differences were determined by using variance analysis of factorial design. Relations between the cortical thickness and clinical assessments were measured with the Spearman Correlation. Results revealed that patients with mTBI had significantly reduced cortical thickness in the left entorhinal cortex while increased cortical thickness in the left precuneus cortex and right lateral occipital cortex, compared with healthy controls. The interaction effect of the group × sex on cortical thickness was significant. Female patients had significant thicker cortical thickness in the left caudal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) than male patients and had higher scores on Posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Spearman correlational analysis showed a significantly positive correlations between the cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and PCL-C ratings in female patients. Sex differences in cortical thickness support its potential as a neuroimaging phenotype for investigating the differences in clinical profiles of mild TBI between women and men.

Sex Differences in Abnormal Intrinsic Functional Connectivity After Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered to induce abnormal intrinsic functional connectivity within resting-state networks (RSNs). The objective of this study was to estimate the role of sex in intrinsic functional connectivity after acute mild TBI. We recruited a cohort of 54 patients (27 males and 27 females with mild TBI within 7 days post-injury) from the emergency department (ED) and 34 age-, education-matched healthy controls (HCs; 17 males and 17 females). On the clinical scales, there were no statistically significant differences between males and females in either control group or mild TBI group. To detect whether there was abnormal sex difference on functional connectivity in RSNs, we performed independent component analysis (ICA) and a dual regression approach to investigate the between-subject voxel-wise comparisons of functional connectivity within seven selected RSNs. Compared to female patients, male patients showed increased intrinsic functional connectivity in motor network, ventral stream network, executive function network, cerebellum network and decreased connectivity in visual network. Further analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the functional connectivity in executive function network and insomnia severity index (ISI) scores in male patients (r = 0.515, P = 0.006). The abnormality of the functional connectivity of RSNs in acute mild TBI showed the possibility of brain recombination after trauma, mainly concerning male-specific.