DeepNose: An Equivariant Convolutional Neural Network Predictive Of Human Olfactory Percepts.

The olfactory system employs responses of an ensemble of odorant receptors (ORs) to sense molecules and to generate olfactory percepts. Here we hypothesized that ORs can be viewed as 3D spatial filters that extract molecular features relevant to the olfactory system, similarly to the spatio-temporal filters found in other sensory modalities. To build these filters, we trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict human olfactory percepts obtained from several semantic datasets.

What clinical parameter strongly associates white matter tract alterations in a Multiple Sclerosis population with voiding dysfunction? A prospective exploratory study.

Purpose: To correlate clinical and urodynamics parameters in Multiple Sclerosis patients (MS) presenting Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) with both Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and changes in white matter integrity as seen on Diffusion Tensor Images (DTI). LUTS worsen throughout MS, as does lesion burden. We investigated which symptoms correlated best with structural changes in white matter structure.

Multi-site lumbar transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation: When less is more.

Background: Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) has become a valuable tool for facilitating rehabilitation in individuals with neurological deficits. A significant constraint arises from the need for precise knowledge of stimulation locations to effectively apply TSS for targeted functional enhancement.

Methods: In this study, we investigate whether single-site or simultaneous multi-site stimulation over the lumbar spinal cord is advantageous for recruitment of specific motor pools projecting to lower limb muscles and generates higher leg extensor forces in neurologically intact individuals.

Is the Brainstem Activation Different Between Healthy Young Male and Female Volunteers at Initiation of Voiding? A High Definition 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Purpose: Assessing brainstem function in humans through typical neuroimaging modalities has been challenging. Our objective was to evaluate brain and brainstem activation patterns during initiation of voiding in healthy males and females utilizing a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and a noninvasive brain-bladder functional MRI (fMRI) protocol.

Methods: Twenty healthy adult volunteers (10 males and 10 females) with no history of urinary symptoms were recruited.

Classification of multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction using machine learning: Is functional connectivity or structural connectivity a better predictor?

Introduction: Machine learning (ML) is an established technique that uses sets of training data to develop algorithms and perform data classification without using human intervention/supervision. This study aims to determine how functional and anatomical brain connectivity (FC and SC) data can be used to classify voiding dysfunction (VD) in female MS patients using ML.

Methods: Twenty-seven ambulatory MS individuals with lower urinary tract dysfunction were recruited and divided into two groups (Group 1: voiders [V,  = 14]; Group 2: VD [ = 13]).

Predictors for outcomes of noninvasive, individualized transcranial magnetic neuromodulation in multiple sclerosis women with neurogenic voiding dysfunction.

Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifocal demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and commonly leads to neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Proper storage and release of urine relies on synchronized activity of the LUT, which is meticulously regulated by supraspinal circuits, making it vulnerable to diseases such as MS. NLUTD, characterized by voiding dysfunction (VD), storage issues, or a combination of both is a common occurrence in MS.

Disruption of specific white matter tracts is associated with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To identify specific white matter tracts (WMTs) whose disruption is associated with the severity of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in two independent cohorts of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and NLUTD.

Methods: Cohort 1 consisted of twenty-eight women with MS and NLUTD. The validation cohort consisted of 10 women with MS and NLUTD.

White Matter Integrity in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Its Contribution to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can negatively impact quality of life. We evaluated the structural connectivity of the brain in men with BPH with chronic BOO using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods: Ambulatory male patients aged ≥45 years with BPH and BOO were recruited.

Supraspinal Neural Changes in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Undergoing Bladder Outlet Procedures: A Pilot Functional MRI Study.

Objective: To explore brain activation patterns on functional MRI (fMRI) in men with BPH and BOO before and after outlet obstruction procedures.

Methods: Men age ≥45 who failed conservative BPH therapy planning to undergo BOO procedures were recruited. Eligible men underwent a concurrent fMRI/urodynamics testing before and 6 months after BOO procedure.

Altered bladder-related brain network in multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction.

Objectives: A number of neurourology imaging studies have mainly focused on investigating the brain activations during micturition in healthy and neuropathic patients. It is, however, also necessary to study brain functional connectivity (FC) within bladder-related regions to understand the brain organization during the execution of bladder function. This study aims to identify the altered brain network associated with bladder function in multiple sclerosis (MS) women with voiding dysfunction through comparisons with healthy subjects via concurrent urodynamic study (UDS)/functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Evaluating the predictive validity of four divergent thinking tasks for the originality of design product ideation.

What factors predict the originality of domain-specific idea generation? Replicating and extending an earlier study using a Design Product Ideation task in an introductory university design course, the present research, grounded in the componential theory of creativity, assessed the relative contributions to originality of design ideation from five factors: divergent thinking, personality traits, general cognitive ability, prior creative experience, and task-specific challenge/interest. The Design Product Ideation task asked participants, at two different timepoints, to propose ideas for products to improve either the experience of urban gardening or of outdoor picnics. Four divergent thinking tasks were used, including the predominantly conceptually-based Alternative Uses Task, a newly developed perceptually-based Figural Interpretation Quest, and two modified verbal tasks from the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (Torrance Suppose and Torrance Product).

Prospective Evaluation of Intradetrusor Injections of OnabotulinumtoxinA in Adults With Spinal Dysraphism.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) on neurogenic overactive bladder (nOAB) in adults with congenital spinal dysraphism (CSD).

Methods: We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized pilot study of 24 adults with CSD and neurogenic overactive bladder. Patients were evaluated with baseline video-urodynamics (UDS) and validated questionnaires, underwent injection 200U BTX-A, and then underwent repeat evaluation with questionnaires and UDS 1-3 months postinjection.

Preliminary Analysis of Brain Footprints in Multiple Sclerosis Females With Detrusor Sphincter Dyssynergia: A Concurrent Urodynamic and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the grey and white brain matter characteristics in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). Grey matter is assessed via the functional connectivity (FC) of brain regions activated during voiding, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Two white matter tracts involved in bladder function, the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), were evaluated using diffusion tensor imaging.

Noninvasive, Individualized Cortical Modulation Using Transcranial Rotating Permanent Magnet Stimulator for Voiding Dysfunction in Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Trial.

Purpose: Voiding dysfunction (VD) leading to urinary retention is a common neurogenic lower urinary tract symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, the only effective management for patients with MS with VD is catheterization. Transcranial Rotating Permanent Magnet Stimulator (TRPMS) is a noninvasive, portable, multifocal neuromodulator that simultaneously modulates multiple cortical regions and the strength of their functional connections.

Therapeutic effects of non-invasive, individualized, transcranial neuromodulation treatment for voiding dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients: study protocol for a pilot clinical trial.

Background: Voiding dysfunction (VD) is a common neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Currently, the only effective management for VD and urinary retention in MS patients is catheterization, prompting us to look for novel therapeutic options beyond the bladder, such as the brain. Transcranial rotating permanent magnet stimulator (TRPMS) is a non-invasive, portable, multifocal neuromodulator that simultaneously modulates multiple cortical regions, enhancing or attenuating strengths of functional connections between these regions.

High spatial correlation in brain connectivity between micturition and resting states within bladder-related networks using 7 T MRI in multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction.

Background: Several studies have reported brain activations and functional connectivity (FC) during micturition using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and concurrent urodynamics (UDS) testing. However, due to the invasive nature of UDS procedure, non-invasive resting-state fMRI is being explored as a potential alternative. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing resting states as a non-invasive alternative for investigating the bladder-related networks in the brain.

Are White Matter Tract Integrities Different in Multiple Sclerosis Women With Voiding Dysfunction?

Objectives: Two white matter tracts (WMTs) are proposed to be involved in bladder function: anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with voiding dysfunction (VD) may have distinct changes in these 2 WMTs. This study aims to compare the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) from diffusion tensor imaging of MS females with and without VD versus healthy controls (HCs).