Development and validation of a two-stage convolutional neural network algorithm for segmentation of MRI white matter hyperintensities for longitudinal studies in CADASIL.

Background: Segmentation of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in CADASIL, one of the most severe cerebral small vessel disease of genetic origin, is challenging.

Method: We adapted and validated an automatic method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm and using a large dataset of 2D and/or 3D FLAIR and T1-weighted images acquired in 132 patients, to measure the progression of WMH in this condition.

Results: The volume of WMH measured using this method correlated strongly with reference data validated by experts.

A single workflow for multi-species blood transcriptomics.

Background: Blood transcriptomic analysis is widely used to provide a detailed picture of a physiological state with potential outcomes for applications in diagnostics and monitoring of the immune response to vaccines. However, multi-species transcriptomic analysis is still a challenge from a technological point of view and a standardized workflow is urgently needed to allow interspecies comparisons.

Results: Here, we propose a single and complete total RNA-Seq workflow to generate reliable transcriptomic data from blood samples from humans and from animals typically used in preclinical models.

Targeting Drug Chemo-Resistance in Cancer Using Natural Products.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. The development of drug resistance is the main contributor to cancer-related mortality. Cancer cells exploit multiple mechanisms to reduce the therapeutic effects of anticancer drugs, thereby causing chemotherapy failure.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Combined Effect of Body Weight and Coffee Consumption on Serum Levels of Leptin, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid in Healthy Young Adult Males.

Purpose: Studies on the effect of body weight and coffee consumption on leptin, vitamin B12, and folic acid are scarce and conflicting. This study investigates the effect of body weight and/or coffee consumption rate on the serum levels of these molecules in healthy young adult males.

Patients And Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was carried out at the faculty of pharmacy, Applied Science Private University (ASU), Amman, Jordan, from July to September 2020.

Evaluation of women knowledge and perception about polycystic ovary syndrome and its management in Jordan: A survey-based study.

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and endocrine disorder in females in their reproductive-age and is associated with clinical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of women in Jordan about PCOS, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study that was designed in order to assess female knowledge, and perceptions about PCOS in Jordan.

Combined Effect Of Coffee Consumption And Cigarette Smoking On Serum Levels Of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, And Lipid Profile In Young Male: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To investigate the associations of coffee consumption and/or smoking on certain clinical outcomes including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), vitamin B12, and folic acid in a population of young healthy men.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, Jordan, over 4 months. Participants were approached for study participation and asked to fill a questionnaire about their anthropometric information, habitual smoking, and coffee consumption during the last 3 months.

Probing instructions for expression regulation in gene nucleotide compositions.

Gene expression is orchestrated by distinct regulatory regions to ensure a wide variety of cell types and functions. A challenge is to identify which regulatory regions are active, what are their associated features and how they work together in each cell type. Several approaches have tackled this problem by modeling gene expression based on epigenetic marks, with the ultimate goal of identifying driving regions and associated genomic variations that are clinically relevant in particular in precision medicine.

Associations Between Sleep Deprivation and Salivary Testosterone Levels in Male University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Sleep deprivation is a common health problem that is growing rapidly worldwide and it is associated with short- and long-term impacts on health. The aim of this study was to detect potential predictors of salivary testosterone (sT) association with sleep deprivation in Arab male university students. In this prospective cohort study, 77 university male students in the age range of 18 to 26 years were divided into two groups, sleep-deprived (SD) participants and non-sleep-deprived (NSD) participants.

Iron Oxide as an MRI Contrast Agent for Cell Tracking.

Iron oxide contrast agents have been combined with magnetic resonance imaging for cell tracking. In this review, we discuss coating properties and provide an overview of ex vivo and in vivo labeling of different cell types, including stem cells, red blood cells, and monocytes/macrophages. Furthermore, we provide examples of applications of cell tracking with iron contrast agents in stroke, multiple sclerosis, cancer, arteriovenous malformations, and aortic and cerebral aneurysms.

Assessment of the efficacy of MRI for detection of changes in bone morphology in a mouse model of bone injury.

Purpose: To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used to track changes in skeletal morphology during bone healing using high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) as a standard. We used a mouse model of bone injury to compare μCT with MRI.

Materials And Methods: Surgery was performed to induce a burr hole fracture in the mouse tibia.

Inflammation determines the pro-adhesive properties of high extracellular d-glucose in human endothelial cells in vitro and rat microvessels in vivo.

Background: Hyperglycemia is acknowledged as an independent risk factor for developing diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. At present, most therapeutic approaches are targeted at a tight glycemic control in diabetic patients, although this fails to prevent macrovascular complications of the disease. Indeed, it remains highly controversial whether or not the mere elevation of extracellular D-glucose can directly promote vascular inflammation, which favors early pro-atherosclerotic events.

Menopause and ovariectomy cause a low grade of systemic inflammation that may be prevented by chronic treatment with low doses of estrogen or losartan.

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in premenopausal women is lower than in men or postmenopausal women. This study reports the discovery of a low grade of systemic inflammation, including monocyte adhesion to arterial endothelium, elicited by menopause or estrogen depletion. Chronic treatment with low dose of 17-beta-estradiol or inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system reduced this inflammation.

Angiotensin II-induced mononuclear leukocyte interactions with arteriolar and venular endothelium are mediated by the release of different CC chemokines.

Angiotensin II (Ang-II) is associated with atherogenesis and arterial subendothelial mononuclear leukocyte infiltration. We have demonstrated that Ang-II causes the initial attachment of mononuclear cells to the arteriolar endothelium. We now report on the contribution of CC chemokines to this response.