A detailed case-by-case investigation revealed mixed evolution patterns, several patients fail in fewer domains at follow-up compared to baseline or failing at different domains at follow-up compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests a more fluid picture for the evolution of cognitive function in a subgroup of MS patients and contradicts the concept of an inevitable, progressively evolving "dementia".BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aimed at developing a radiomics signature (R score) as prognostic biomarkers based on penumbra quantification and to validate the radiomics nomogram to predict the clinical outcomes for thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. METHODS In total, 168 patients collected from seven centers were retrospectively included. A score of mismatch was defined as MIS. Based on a short-term clinical label, 456 radiomics features were evaluated with feature selection methods. R score was constructed with the selected features. To compare the predictive capabilities of the clinical factors, MIS, and R score, three nomograms were developed and evaluated, according to the short-term clinical assessment on day 7. Finally, the radiomics nomogram was validated by predicting the 3-month clinical outcomes of AIS patients, in an external cohort. RESULTS R scores were found to be significantly higher in patients with favorable clinical outcomes in both training and validation datasets. The predictive value of the radiomics nomogram estimating favorable clinical outcomes was modest, with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.695 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.667-0.723) in an external validation dataset. In addition, the area under curve (AUC) of the radiomics nomogram predicting favorable clinical outcome reached 0.886 (95% CI 0.809-0.963) on day 7 and 0.777 (95% CI 0.666-0.888) at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS The radiomics signature is an independent biomarker for estimating the clinical outcomes in AIS patients. By improving the individualized prediction of the clinical outcome for AIS patients 3 months after onset, the radiomics nomogram adds more value to the current clinical decision-making process.OBJECTIVE To assess the importance of serum IgG/IgM antibody titers for the differentiation of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) from its mimics. METHOD This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted at two German neurological centers. Serological parameters (ELISA or CLIA analysis) and clinical presentation of 28 patients with definite LNB were compared to those of 36 patients with neurological symptoms mimicking LNB (mimics). Analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and binary logistic regression. RESULTS Elevated IgG-titers had a high sensitivity for neuroborreliosis in both centers (0.95 and 1.0). The optimal cutoff-values were set to 26.35 in center A (ELISA), and 64.0 in center B (CLIA). Diagnostic specificity was 0.41 and 0.89 in this constellation. Elevated IgM-titers showed a high diagnostic specificity for a cutoff at 68.10 (A) and 47.95 (B) (0.93 and 0.89). Sensitivity was 0.45 and 0.5. Overall diagnostic accuracy was low in both centers (A IgG AUC = 0.665, IgM AUC = 0.629; B IgG AUC = 0.917, IgM AUC = 0.556). AL3818 VEGFR inhibitor In logistic regression of antibody titers and clinical measures, prediction of LNB was significantly better than the "null hypothesis". Clinical measures showed the highest odds ratio. CONCLUSION Data show that in addition to the clinical presentation of patients with symptoms suggesting central or peripheral nervous system manifestation, serum IgG- and IgM-titers help to identify LNB-patients. The results should guide physicians counseling patients with suspected LNB about further diagnostic steps and treatment.To evaluate the prevalence of violence against women (VAW) and assess factors associated with VAW among a representative sample of the Lebanese population. This cross-sectional study was carried out between September and December 2018. Participants from all Lebanese governorates were enrolled in this study using a proportionate random sample. The percentages of women who were exposed to physical and non-physical abuse were 37.1% and 49.4% respectively. Factors associated with physical abuse were being divorced, having a partner addicted to substances and alcohol, or with a history of threats, violence, assaults, and crimes, higher stressful life experiences, and abuse reported from childhood (physical, sexual, or psychological). Non-physical abuse was associated with abuse reported from childhood (physical, sexual, or psychological), higher stressful life experiences, and the fact that the partner is addicted to substances and alcohol, or has a history of threats. Our results suggest that being divorced, illiterate, and unemployed, having an addicted partner, and having experienced child abuse are all factors that are associated with more violence against women.Uranyl acetate is the standard contrasting agent in electron microscopy (EM), but it is toxic and radioactive. We reasoned neodymium acetate might substitute uranyl acetate as a contrasting agent, and we find that neodymium acetate indeed can replace uranyl acetate in several routine applications. Since neodymium acetate is not toxic, not radioactive and easy to use, we foresee neodymium will replace uranyl in many EM sample preparation applications worldwide.PURPOSE The effects of the seat tube angle and crank arm length on metabolic responses, neuromuscular activation, and lower extremity joint kinematics were investigated during bicycling with a relatively lower seat height usually used for daily life. METHODS Eleven young males performed bicycling on ergometer with various seat tube angles (60°, 65°, and 70°) and crank arm lengths (127, 140, 152, and 165 mm). Oxygen consumption was measured with electromyography of the knee extensor muscle, and hip, knee, and ankle joint angles. The seat height was set as the shorter than subject's trochanter height, because this study simulates pedaling a bicycle in daily life on public roads. RESULTS Significantly higher oxygen consumption was noted with a 70° of seat tube angle on comparison with a 65° of seat tube angle (p  0.05). CONCLUSIONS From these results, the present study suggests that a shallower seat angle could help to decrease the physiological burden during bicycling with a relatively lower seat height.