Relationship between sodium and diffusion MRI metrics in multiple sclerosis.

Sodium MRI can measure sodium concentrations in people with multiple sclerosis, but the extent to which these alterations reflect metabolic dysfunction in the absence of tissue damage or neuroaxonal loss remains uncertain. Increases in total sodium concentration and extracellular sodium concentration are believed to be indicative of tissue disruption and extracellular space expansion. Conversely, increase in intracellular sodium concentration may represent early and transient responses to neuronal insult, preceding overt tissue damage.

Correction: Neural substrates of neuropsychological profiles in dystrophynopathies: A pilot study of diffusion tractography imaging.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Multiparametric Characterization and Spatial Distribution of Different MS Lesion Phenotypes.

Background And Purpose: MS lesions exhibit varying degrees of axonal and myelin damage. A comprehensive description of lesion phenotypes could contribute to an improved radiologic evaluation of smoldering inflammation and remyelination processes. This study aimed to identify in vivo distinct MS lesion types using quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility mapping-weighted imaging and to characterize them through T1-relaxometry, myelin mapping, and diffusion MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting-based myelin water fraction mapping for the assessment of white matter maturation and integrity in typical development and leukodystrophies.

A quantitative biomarker for myelination, such as myelin water fraction (MWF), would boost the understanding of normative and pathological neurodevelopment, improving patients' diagnosis and follow-up. We quantified the fraction of a rapidly relaxing pool identified as MW using multicomponent three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) to evaluate white matter (WM) maturation in typically developing (TD) children and alterations in leukodystrophies (LDs). We acquired DTI and 3D MRF-based R1, R2 and MWF data of 15 TD children and 17 LD patients (9 months-12.

The role of intraoperative extensor digitorum brevis muscle MEPs in spinal surgery.

Purpose: Intraoperative muscle motor evoked potentials (m-MEPs) are widely used in spinal surgery with the aim of identifying a damage to spinal cord at a reversible stage. Generally, lower limb m-MEPs are recorded from abductor hallucis [AH] and the tibialis anterior [TA]. The purpose of this work is to study an unselected population by recording the m-MEPs from TA, AH and extensor digitorum brevis (EDB), with the aim of identifying the most adjustable and stable muscles responses intraoperatively.

Relationship among Connectivity of the Frontal Aslant Tract, Executive Functions, and Speech and Language Impairment in Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a subtype of motor speech disorder usually co-occurring with language impairment. A supramodal processing difficulty, involving executive functions (EFs), might contribute to the cognitive endophenotypes and behavioral manifestations. The present study aimed to profile the EFs in CAS, investigating the relationship between EFs, speech and language severity, and the connectivity of the frontal aslant tract (FAT), a white matter tract involved in both speech and EFs.

3D CT-Inclusive Deep-Learning Model to Predict Mortality, ICU Admittance, and Intubation in COVID-19 Patients.

Chest CT is a useful initial exam in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for assessing lung damage. AI-powered predictive models could be useful to better allocate resources in the midst of the pandemic. Our aim was to build a deep-learning (DL) model for COVID-19 outcome prediction inclusive of 3D chest CT images acquired at hospital admission.

A kinetic framework for modeling oleochemical biosynthesis in Escherichia coli.

Microorganisms build fatty acids with biocatalytic assembly lines, or fatty acid synthases (FASs), that can be repurposed to produce a broad set of fuels and chemicals. Despite their versatility, the product profiles of FAS-based pathways are challenging to adjust without experimental iteration, and off-target products are common. This study uses a detailed kinetic model of the Escherichia coli FAS as a foundation to model nine oleochemical pathways.

Application of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Oligoarticular Psoriatic Arthritis Subset: Results from Patients Treated with Apremilast.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by different phenotypes in terms of joint involvement. The so-called oligoarticular pattern involves fewer than five active joints at a different time points. The evaluation of disease activity in this subset of patients is an unmet need due to the lack of specific indices able to capture modifications over time.

Burden of COVID-19 on Italian Internal Medicine Wards: Delphi, SWOT, and Performance Analysis after Two Pandemic Waves in the Local Health Authority "Roma 6" Hospital Structures.

: COVID-19 causes major changes in day-to-day hospital activity due to its epidemiological characteristics and the clinical challenges it poses, especially in internal medicine wards. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and manage all of the implicated factors in order to maintain a high standard of care, even in sub-par circumstances. : This was a three-phase, mixed-design study.

Neural substrates of neuropsychological profiles in dystrophynopathies: A pilot study of diffusion tractography imaging.

Introduction: Cognitive difficulties and neuropsychological alterations in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD, BMD) boys are not yet sufficiently explored, although this topic could have a relevant impact, finding novel biomarkers of disease both at genetics and neuroimaging point of view. The current study aims to: 1) analyze the neuropsychological profile of a group of DMD and BMD boys without cognitive impairment with an assessment of their executive functions; 2) explore the structural connectivity in DMD, BMD, and age-matched controls focusing on cortico-subcortical tracts that connect frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum via the thalamus; 3) explore possible correlations between altered structural connectivity and clinical neuropsychological measures.

Materials And Methods: This pilot study included 15 boys (5 DMD subjects, 5 BMD subjects, and 5 age-matched typically developing, TD).

Emerging Therapeutic Drugs in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis and currently with few treatment options. Treatment of these patients is highly based on systemic chemotherapy. Some targeted drugs were recently approved for these patients: two poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations (olaparib and talazoparib), immune checkpoint inhibitors in association with chemotherapy if programmed death-ligand 1 positive (atezolizumab plus nabpaclitaxel and pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy [nabpaclitaxel, paclitaxel, and carboplatin plus gemcitabine]), and an antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab-govitecan in heavily pretreated patients (at least 2 previous lines for the metastatic setting).

Comprehensive disease control in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: We evaluated a monocentric SLE cohort in order to assess the frequency of Lupus comprehensive disease control (LupusCDC), a condition defined by the achievement of remission and the absence of damage progression.

Methods: Our longitudinal analysis included SLE patients with 5-years follow-up and at least one visit per year. Disease activity was assessed by SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and three different remission levels were evaluated (Complete Remission, CR; Clinical remission off-corticosteroids; clinical remission on-corticosteroids).

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis in Guatemala.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is public health concern across the world. Data on the epidemiology among patients on hemodialysis in Latin America and low- and middle-income countries are limited.

Methods: Using electronic medical records from the second largest dialysis network in Guatemala, we performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients on hemodialysis with the diagnosis of COVID-19 to estimate incidence of infection and to describe the demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes.

Effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in rheumatoid arthritis: a monocentric, longitudinal, real-life experience.

Objectives: Baricitinib is a Janus-kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor, approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). We report the first real-life experience with baricitinib in a monocentric cohort of unselected RA patients.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive RA patients starting baricitinib.

Joint involvement influences quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Introduction: Joint involvement represents the major determinant in quality of life (QoL)in Systemic Lupus Erhytematosus (SLE) patients. However, QoLhas been generally evaluated by non-specific questionnaires. We evaluated the relationship between SLE musculoskeletal manifestations and QoL, assessed by LupusQoL.

Belimumab is Able to Induce a Significant Improvement of Joint Activity Status in Patients Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results From a 12-Month Longitudinal Study.

Background: Belimumab was the first biological drug approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Phase II/III randomized controlled trials and real-life studies identified patients with musculoskeletal involvement as best responders.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of belimumab in SLE-related joint involvement.

Caffeine intake influences disease activity and clinical phenotype in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective: Caffeine, one of the most widely consumed products in the world, seems to interact with multiple components of the immune system by acting as a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In vitro dose-dependent treatment with caffeine down-regulates mRNA levels of key inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. So far, no robust data are available about the possible contribution of caffeine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Nasal Carriage and Autoimmune Diseases: From Pathogenic Mechanisms to Disease Susceptibility and Phenotype.

The role of infective agents in autoimmune diseases (ADs) development has been historically investigated, but in the last years has been strongly reconsidered due to the interest in the link between the microbiome and ADs. Together with the gut, the skin microbiome is characterized by the presence of several microorganisms, potentially influencing innate and adaptive immune response. is one of the most important components of the skin microbiome that can colonize anterior nares without clinical manifestations.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound in monitoring response to apremilast in psoriatic arthritis patients: results from a longitudinal study.

Introduction/objective: Apremilast, PDE4 competitive inhibitor, has been recently introduced in the treatment of adult psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, but only preliminary data are available on imaging evaluation. Thus, we evaluated the response to apremilast in PsA patients by ultrasonographic (US) assessment.

Methods: Thirty-four patients (M/F 7/27; median age 61 years, IQR 15; median disease duration 10 years, IQR 13) treated for polyarticular involvement were longitudinally evaluated.

Anti-D4GDI antibodies activate platelets in vitro: a possible link with thrombocytopenia in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a manifestation associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), and many studies have stressed the leading role played by platelets in the pathogenesis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Platelets are highly specialized cells, and their activation involves a series of rapid rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. Recently, we described the presence of autoantibodies against D4GDI (Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor beta, ARHGDIB) in the serum of a large subset of SLE patients, and we observed that anti-D4GDI antibodies activated the cytoskeleton remodeling of lymphocytes by inhibiting D4GDI and allowing the upregulation of Rho GTPases, such as Rac1.

Usefulness of composite indices in the assessment of joint involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: correlation with ultrasonographic score.

Specific indices are not available to evaluate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) joint involvement; indeed, the application of indices validated for rheumatoid arthritis has been suggested. We evaluated the usefulness of organ specific composite indices, i.e.

Correction: Biomarkers of erosive arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Application of machine learning models.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Biomarkers of erosive arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Application of machine learning models.

Objective: Limited evidences are available on biomarkers to recognize Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients at risk to develop erosive arthritis. Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) have been widely investigated and identified in up to 50% of X-ray detected erosive arthritis; conversely, few studies evaluated anti-carbamylated proteins antibodies (anti-CarP). Here, we considered the application of machine learning models to identify relevant factors in the development of ultrasonography (US)-detected erosive damage in a large cohort of SLE patients with joint involvement.