Primate auditory prototype in the evolution of the arcuate fasciculus

The human arcuate fasciculus pathway is crucial for #language, interconnecting posterior temporal and inferior frontal areas. Whether a monkey homolog exists is controversial and the nature of human-specific specialization unclear. Using monkey, ape and human auditory functional fields and diffusion-weighted MRI, we identified homologous pathways originating from the auditory cortex. This discovery establishes a primate… Continue reading Primate auditory prototype in the evolution of the arcuate fasciculus

α-Synuclein-specific T cell reactivity is associated with preclinical and early #Parkinson’s disease

..diagnosis of motor Parkinson’s disease (PD) is preceded by a prolonged premotor phase with accumulating neuronal damage. Here we examined the temporal relation between α-synuclein (α-syn) T cell reactivity and PD. A longitudinal case study revealed that elevated α-syn-specific T cell responses were detected prior to the diagnosis of motor PD, and declined after. The… Continue reading α-Synuclein-specific T cell reactivity is associated with preclinical and early #Parkinson’s disease

Maternal #Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders and #Mental Disorders in Children

The associations of maternal hypertensive pregnancy disorders with offspring mental disorders remain unclear. We examined whether maternal hypertensive disorders and maximum blood pressure during pregnancy predict offspring childhood mental disorders, whether the associations are independent of maternal and paternal mental disorders and paternal hypertensive disorders, independent of or additive with maternal early pregnancy overweight/obesity and… Continue reading Maternal #Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders and #Mental Disorders in Children

Association of #Cigarette Smoking With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated #Vasculitis

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a systemic small vessel vasculitis characterized by circulating ANCAs targeting proteinase 3 (PR3) or myeloperoxidase (MPO) and associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Myeloperoxidase-ANCA–positive AAV and PR3-ANCA–positive AAV are increasingly recognized to have differences in genetic risk, pathogenesis, and response to treatment. Risk factors for AAV, including cigarette… Continue reading Association of #Cigarette Smoking With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated #Vasculitis

Effect of Smartphone-Enabled #Health Monitoring Devices vs Regular Follow-up on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients After Myocardial #Infarction

..For patients randomized to regular care, 4 physical outpatient clinic visits were scheduled in the year following the initial event. In the intervention group, patients were given 4 smartphone-compatible devices (weight scale, BP monitor, rhythm monitor, and step counter). In addition, 2 in-person outpatient clinic visits were replaced by electronic visits ..In total, 200 patients… Continue reading Effect of Smartphone-Enabled #Health Monitoring Devices vs Regular Follow-up on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients After Myocardial #Infarction

Can atmospheric #pollution be considered a co-factor in extremely high level of SARS-#CoV-2 lethality in Northern Italy?

This paper investigates the correlation between the high level of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lethality and the atmospheric pollution in Northern Italy. Indeed, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna are Italian regions with both the highest level of virus lethality in the world and one of Europe’s most polluted area. Based on this correlation,… Continue reading Can atmospheric #pollution be considered a co-factor in extremely high level of SARS-#CoV-2 lethality in Northern Italy?

Clinical Implications of SARS-Cov2 Interaction with Renin #Angiotensin System

SARS-CoV2 host cell infection is mediated by the binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Systemic dysregulation observed in SARS-CoV was previously postulated to be due to ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas axis downregulation, increased ACE2 activity was shown to mediate disease protection. Since angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), ACE inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) increase ACE2 receptor expression,… Continue reading Clinical Implications of SARS-Cov2 Interaction with Renin #Angiotensin System

Large #thigh circumference is associated with lower blood #pressure in overweight and obese individuals: a community-based study

..A small thigh circumference is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and total mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between thigh circumference and hypertension in the middle-aged and elderly population. ..Thigh circumference was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol.… Continue reading Large #thigh circumference is associated with lower blood #pressure in overweight and obese individuals: a community-based study

#Obesity, unfavourable lifestyle and genetic risk of type 2 #diabetes: a case-cohort study

Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and unfavourable lifestyle were associated with higher risk for incident type 2 diabetes regardless of genetic predisposition (p > 0.05 for GRS–obesity and GRS–lifestyle interaction). The effect of obesity on type 2 diabetes risk (HR 5.81 [95% CI 5.16, 6.55]) was high, whereas the effects of high genetic risk (HR 2.00 [95% CI 1.76,… Continue reading #Obesity, unfavourable lifestyle and genetic risk of type 2 #diabetes: a case-cohort study