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Polycystic kidney disease in patients on the renal transplant waiting list: trends in hematocrit and survival.

BACKGROUND: The patient characteristics and mortality associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD) have not been characterized for a national sample of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on the renal transplant waiting list. METHODS: 40,493 patients in the United States Renal Data System who were initiated on ESRD therapy between 1 April 1995 and 29 June 1999 and later enrolled on the renal transplant waiting list were analyzed in an historical cohort study of the relationship between hematocrit at the time of presentation to ESRD and survival (using Cox Regression) in patients with PKD as a cause of ESRD. RESULTS: Hematocrit levels at presentation to ESRD increased significantly over more recent years of the study. Hematocrit rose in parallel in patients with and without PKD, but patients with PKD had consistently higher hemoglobin. PKD was independently associated with higher hematocrit in multiple linear regression analysis (p < 0.0001). In logistic regression, higher hematocrit was independently associated with PKD. In Cox Regression analysis, PKD was associated with statistically significant improved survival both in comparison with diabetic (hazard ratio, 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.77, p < 0.001) and non-diabetic (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.82, p = 0.001) ESRD patients, adjusted for all other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Hematocrit at presentation to ESRD was significantly higher in patients with PKD compared with patients with other causes of ESRD. The survival advantage of PKD in ESRD persisted even adjusted for differences in hematocrit and in comparison with patients on the renal transplant waiting list.

Female↗

Prediction of normal values for lactate threshold estimated by gas exchange in men and women.

Lactate threshold (LT) is an index of exercise capacity and can be estimated from the gas exchange consequences of a metabolic acidosis (LT(GE)). In recent years, it has emerged as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of subjects with exercise limitation. The purpose of this study was to develop LT(GE) prediction equations on a relatively large sample of adults and to cross-validate each equation. A total of 204 healthy, sedentary, nonsmoking subjects (103 men and 101 women), aged 20-70 years, underwent graded exercise testing on a cycle ergometer. The V-slope technique was used to detect LTGE as the oxygen uptake (VO2) at the breakpoint of the carbon dioxide output versus VO2 relationship. Multiple linear regression was used to develop 12 equations with combinations of the following predictor variables: age, height, body mass, and fat-free mass. Eight of the equations are gender-specific and four are generalized with gender as a dummy variable. The equations were cross-validated using the predicted residual sum of squares (PRESS) method. The results demonstrate that the equations had relatively high multiple correlations (0.577-0.863) and low standard errors of the estimate (0.123-0.228 1 x min(-1)). The PRESS method demonstrated that the equations are generalizable, i.e., can be used in future studies without a significant loss of accuracy. Since we tested only healthy, sedentary subjects, our equations can be used to predict the lower limit of normal for a given subject. Using individual data for healthy and diseased subjects from the literature, we found that our gender-specific equations rarely miscategorized subjects unless they were obese and mass was a predictor variable. We conclude that our equations provide accurate predictions of normal values for LT(GE) and that they are generalizable to other subject populations.

Adult↗

An accurate QSPR study of O-H bond dissociation energy in substituted phenols based on support vector machines.

The support vector machine (SVM), as a novel type of learning machine, was used to develop a Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) model of the O-H bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 78 substituted phenols. The six descriptors calculated solely from the molecular structures of compounds selected by forward stepwise regression were used as inputs for the SVM model. The root-mean-square (rms) errors in BDE predictions for the training, test, and overall data sets were 3.808, 3.320, and 3.713 BDE units (kJ mol(-1)), respectively. The results obtained by Gaussian-kernel SVM were much better than those obtained by multiple linear regression, radial basis function neural networks, linear-kernel SVM, and other QSPR approaches.

Journal Article↗

Association of a G2014A transition in exon 8 of the estrogen receptor-alpha gene with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

We report the association of a newly identified synonymous G2014A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) which does not alter the amino acid sequence in exon 8 of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) gene with osteoporosis in Thai postmenopausal women. Subjects consisted of 228 postmenopausal women aged more than 55 years divided into two groups--with vertebral or femoral osteoporosis (n = 106) or without osteoporosis (n = 122)--according to bone mineral density (BMD) criteria. The exon 8 G2014A SNP, which is 6 nucleotides upstream from the end of the stop codon, was identified by PCR-RFLP. Data are expressed as the mean and 95% CI. The allele frequency of the G2014A polymorphism was 26.4% in osteoporotic subjects and was significantly higher than that in non-osteoporotic women (15.2%) (p<0.05). By stepwise logistic regression analysis, it was found that the G2014A polymorphism was related to the presence of osteoporosis (odds ratio 2.7 per A allele, 95% CI 1.49-4.76) independently of body weight (odds ratio 0.93 per kg, 95% CI 0.89-0.96) and years since menopause (odds ratio 1.12 per year, 95% CI 1.08-1.19). In a multiple linear regression model, L2-L4 BMD of osteoporotic subjects was associated with body weight (p<0.05), endogenous estradiol levels (p<0.05) and the G2014A genotype (p<0.001), while it was related only to body weight (p<0.05) and estradiol levels in non-osteoporotic women (p<0.05). We conclude that a G2014A SNP in exon 8 of ERalpha is associated with the presence and severity of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Linkage disequilibrium between this polymorphism and the 3'-untranslated region of the ERalpha gene which may participate in the regulation of ERalpha gene expression remains to be determined.

Aged↗

Vitamin D insufficiency in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in remission.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are the best indicator of vitamin D nutritional status. We measured serum 25(OH)D concentrations in 94 healthy controls and in 41 subjects (aged 4-22 years) with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in remission. Children with remitted SSNS had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentrations than healthy controls (median 16.4 ng/ml versus 23.9 ng/ml, P<0.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, the odds ratios (OR) of vitamin D insufficiency [25(OH)D <20 ng/ml] were independently increased in SSNS subjects [OR 11.2 (95% confidence interval 3.5-36.2)], non-whites [OR 12.9 (4.6-36.2)], older children [OR 1.20 per year (1.06-1.36)], and winter months [OR 6.7 (2.5-18.4)]. Within the SSNS subjects, multiple linear regression determined that serum 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with SSNS disease characteristics measured in this study, such as duration of disease, number of relapses, cumulative glucocorticoids, and interval since last relapse. In conclusion, children with remitted SSNS have lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations than healthy controls. This difference persisted after adjusting for the potential confounding effects of age, race, season, and milk intake. Children with remitted SSNS may benefit from routine measurement of 25(OH)D, but the clinical significance of low 25(OH)D in this population remains unclear.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of usefulness of left ventricular diastolic versus systolic function as a predictor of outcome following primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the role of diastolic function in predicting in-hospital events and LV ejection fraction (EF) 6 months after a first AMI that was treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We prospectively enrolled 59 consecutive patients who were 60 +/- 15 years of age (48 men), presented at our institution with their first AMI, and were treated with primary PCI. Patients underwent 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, including tissue Doppler imaging of 6 basal mitral annular regions within 24 hours after primary PCI and were followed until discharge. Clinical and echocardiographic variables at index AMI were compared with a combined end point of cardiac death, ventricular tachycardia, congestive heart failure, or emergency in-hospital surgical revascularization. Follow-up echocardiographic assessment was performed at 6 months in 24 patients. During hospitalization, 3 patients died, 7 developed congestive heart failure, 4 had ventricular tachycardia, and 1 required emergency surgical revascularization. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed the ratio of early mitral inflow diastolic filling wave (E) to peak early diastolic velocity of non-infarct-related mitral annulus (p < 0.01) (E') and mitral inflow E-wave deceleration time (p < 0.02) to be independent predictors of in-hospital cardiac events (generalized R2 = 0.66). In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, independent predictors of follow-up LVEF were mitral inflow deceleration time (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.002), baseline LVEF (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.02), and mitral inflow peak early velocity/mitral annular peak early velocity (or E/E') of infarct annulus (R2 = 0.66, p = 0.02). In conclusion, in patients who are treated with primary PCI for a first AMI, E/E' velocity ratio and mitral inflow E-wave deceleration time are strong predictors of in-hospital cardiac events and of LVEF at 6-month follow-up.

Aged↗

Characteristics of psychiatric hospitals associated with length of stay in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Average length of inpatient stay at psychiatric hospitals in Japan has been consistently longer than that in any other developed country, and was 330 days in 1996. Although some reforms have been implemented with the intention of decreasing length of stay (LOS), appreciable reductions have not been achieved. The present study examined hospital characteristics associated with length of stay in regional psychiatric hospitals in Japan, in order to identify variables that might help to reduce LOS. METHOD: This cross-sectional study analysed the complete database of one district in Japan. Analyses were conducted using aggregate data from 24 hospitals. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine hospital characteristics influencing LOS in psychiatric hospitals. RESULTS: Significant positive associations were identified between LOS and two hospital characteristics: inpatient capacity; proportion of involuntary admissions. Negative associations were observed for three variables: number of outpatients; human resources in terms of healthcare professionals available in each hospital; community activity. Multiple linear regression analysis for the 24 hospitals revealed that number of outpatients and proportion of patients receiving public aid were independently associated with shorter LOS, while proportion of involuntary admissions was independently associated with longer LOS. A negative association between human resources in terms of number of healthcare professionals and LOS was suggested. CONCLUSION: Several hospital characteristics are associated with LOS in psychiatric hospitals. Factors identified in this study offer insights into directions for effective psychiatric health policy to reduce LOS.

Adult↗

Follow-up in the micronucleus frequencies and its subsets in human population with chronic low-dose gamma-irradiation exposure.

Forty-eight individuals, who received protracted low-dose rate gamma-irradiation from radioactive environments for 2-10 years, have been evaluated repetitively for cytogenetic damage by the cytochalasin-B micronuclei assay (CBMN) after they relocated from radioactive buildings. These subjects were shown to have a significant decrease in the CBMN frequencies during 26.2+/-8.4 months of follow-up. By the mixed effect multiple linear regression analysis, the CBMN frequencies in these 48 subjects during repetitive measurements were significantly associated with the relocation duration since leaving the radioactive environments (relocation time or RT in months; estimate -0.47, standard error 0. 0016, p value 0.0074). The alteration rate in the proportions of binucleates carrying a single micronucleus and those with multiple micronuclei was further compared among 26 of these exposed individuals. The proportions of binucleates with multi-micronuclei were shown to decline significantly faster than those with a mono-micronucleus between these two repetitive assays (proportional Z-test, p value 0.003). Moreover, some of the exposed subjects were shown to have a persistent increase in the total micronuclei frequencies or carrying multi-micronuclei in the binuclei even 3-4 years post-cessation of exposure. This suggests potential genomic instability in stem cells of the exposed individuals and the phenomenon deserves further closer monitoring. Understanding the dynamics of micronucleus expression in lymphocytes in subjects with previous mutagenic exposure would be of significant importance for human population monitoring.

Adolescent↗

Haemophilic patients with hepatitis C have higher viral load compared to other well-defined patient groups.

Comparison of hepatitis C viral load between different patient populations has been hampered by the use of different technology in individual studies. We had the impression that haemophilic (HAEM) patients had a higher serum load of hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to other HCV-infected patients. We therefore studied viral load and genotypes in active illicit drug users (IDU), HAEM patients and patients with post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH). The study comprises 225 HCV-RNA positive patients, 117 IDU, 60 HAEM patients and 48 PTH patients. All patients were anti-HIV negative. HCV-RNA was measured with a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, HCV-genotypes were determined with genotype specific primers in RT-PCR in 221 patients. Four patients could not be genotyped with our assay and were excluded. Overall viral load was higher in genotypes 1 and 2 compared to genotype 3, median values of HCV-RNA were 1,400 x 10(3) geq ml(-1), 2,700 x 10(3) geq ml(-1) and 270 x 10(3) geq ml(-1), respectively. HAEM patients had significantly higher viral load for both genotypes 1 and 3 compared to the IDU and PTH patients. In a multiple linear regression model HCV-RNA viral load was independently associated with HAEM and genotype, but not to age, gender or disease duration. In conclusion, HAEM patients have higher viral load than IDU and PTH patients. The reason for this is unknown, but it may be due to host factors or mode of transmission with multiple inoculations.

Adult↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 Pro12Ala gene variant is strongly associated with larger body mass in the Taiwanese.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARgamma2) has been studied extensively because of its putative role in adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity. The association of the Pro12Ala and Pro115Gln PPARgamma2 gene variants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the body mass index (BMI), and other diabetes-related phenotypes was examined in the Taiwanese population. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Allele frequencies were compared between 280 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 310 subjects without diabetes using the chi-square test. Continuous phenotype analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression adjusting for age and BMI where appropriate. There was no significant association between the Pro12Ala gene variant and type 2 diabetes; the frequency of the Ala12 allele was 0.03 in type 2 diabetics and 0.04 in nondiabetics (P = .40). The Gln115 allele was not detected in any of the cases or controls. In multiple linear regression analysis of all cases and controls combined adjusted for age, sex, and diabetic status, carriers of the Ala12 allele had a mean BMI of 25.9+/-0.5 kg/m2 (mean +/- SE), compared with 24.2+/-0.1 kg/m2 in Pro12 homozygotes (P < .001). In addition, carriers of the Ala12 allele have a 2.9 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 5.5) higher odds of having a BMI of at least 25 kg/m2. These results suggest that in the Taiwanese, the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 gene variant may contribute to fat accumulation and a higher BMI independent of type 2 diabetes. These results need to be confirmed in future studies, as a linkage disequilibrium of this variant with other mutations cannot be ruled out.

Adult↗

Comparison of MLR, PLS and GA-MLR in QSAR analysis.

The use of the internet has evolved in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) over the past decade with the development of web based activities like the availability of numerous public domain software tools for descriptor calculation and chemometric toolboxes. The importance of chemometrics in QSAR has accelerated in recent years for processing the enormous amount of information in form of predictive mathematical models for large datasets of molecules. With the availability of huge numbers of physicochemical and structural parameters, variable selection became crucial in deriving interpretable and predictive QSAR models. Among several approaches to address this problem, the principle component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) analyses provide highly predictive QSAR models but being more abstract, they are difficult to understand and interpret. Genetic algorithm (GA) is a stochastic method well suited to the problem of variable selection and to solve optimization problems. Consequently the hybrid approach (GA-MLR) combining GA with multiple linear regression (MLR) may be useful in derivation of highly predictive and interpretable QSAR models. In view of the above, a comparative study of stepwise-MLR, PLS and GA-MLR in deriving QSAR models for datasets of alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonists and beta3-adrenoreceptor agonists has been carried out using the public domain software Dragon for computing descriptors and free Matlab codes for data modeling.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Factors related to multiple organ system failure and mortality in a surgical intensive care unit.

We retrospectively studied the relative contribution of factors related to the extent of multiple organ system failure (MOSF) and mortality, using multivariate methods to account for the interactions between studied factors, in 538 consecutive patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit during a 1-year period. MOSF (MOSF score > or = 5) occurred in 88 (16%) of patients. Multiple linear regression selected advancing age, malnutrition, APACHE II score, shock and coma on admission, number of blood transfusions, use of H2 receptor antagonists or antacids, bacteraemia and intra-abdominal infection as independent factors related to the MOSF score. MOSF mortality was 52% and was a major cause of death in critically ill surgical patients. Multiple logistic regression selected advancing age, malnutrition, bacteraemia, APACHE II and MOSF score as major predictors of mortality. Advancing age, malnutrition, shock and coma on admission, transfusion requirement and use of H2 receptor antagonists or antacids may impair host defences of the gastrointestinal tract and enhance the vulnerability for invasive infection, thereby aggravating the severity of existing MOSF. Together with the predominance of Enterobacteriaceae in infected patients, these results suggest that translocation of intestinal bacteria and endotoxin may be important in the evolution and perpetuating the MOSF syndrome. Our results may be useful in devising strategies to prevent or limit the evolution of MOSF and to improve survival in patients with critical illness.

Adult↗

Pharmacology of 21-day oral etoposide given in combination with i.v. cisplatin in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: a cancer and leukemia group B study (CALGB 9062).

This was a pharmacological companion study to a randomized Phase III trial comparing 21-day oral versus 3-day i.v. etoposide in combination with i.v. cisplatin in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Etoposide plasma concentrations were measured in patients randomized to the 21-day schedule and correlated with toxicity and tumor response. Patients were treated with etoposide (50 mg/m2/day) orally for 21 days and cisplatin (33 mg/m2/day) i.v. for 3 consecutive days every 28 days for 6 courses. Plasma samples before the daily etoposide dose (trough concentrations) and complete blood counts were obtained weekly during treatment. The average of three etoposide concentrations (EC) per course was calculated. Of 158 patients registered to this schedule of the study, 150 were eligible. In 106 patients, etoposide samples were obtained at least in the first course in which the mean EC was 0.39 microgram/ml (SD = 0.29). In 102 patients (missing albumin values in 4 of 106 patients), the concentration of etoposide not bound to protein (Efree) was estimated based on the following equation: percentage unbound = (1.4 x total bilirubin) - (6.8 x albumin) + 34.4. Regression analysis revealed that increasing age was correlated with higher EC (r = 0.27; two-tailed P < 0.01) and Efree (r = 0.31; two-tailed P < 0.01). Higher EC and Efree values were associated with lower WBC counts and absolute neutrophil counts after the first treatment course in 83 patients with nadir counts. Using multiple linear regression, a pharmacodynamic model was developed that included EC or Efree, age, and alkaline phosphatase. An interaction with bone marrow results at diagnosis was found, indicating a sharper decline in nadir counts with increasing EC or Efree when the marrow was involved with small cell lung cancer. This model explained 29% of the variation for WBC nadirs (P < 0.001) and 31% of the variation for absolute neutrophil count nadirs (P < 0. 001). Neither EC nor Efree showed a significant correlation with tumor response. A pharmacokinetic relationship between EC or Efree and age was found. A pharmacodynamic model could be developed for toxicity but not for tumor response.

Administration, Oral↗

Social deprivation, income inequality, social cohesion and dental caries in Brazilian school children.

This ecological study investigated the associations between social deprivation, income inequality and social cohesion and dental caries levels in school children of the Distrito Federal, Brazil. Three sources of data were used: (1) area-based data from a 1997 social survey carried out on 13,000 families, (2) 1995 census data collected for the Government of the Distrito Federal (GDF), and (3) dental caries data from a 1997 oral health survey on 7296 6-12-year-old school children. Results of simple linear regression showed that percent with less than eight years of education (P = 0.03) and percent who did not have a maid (P = 0.009), were negatively statistically significantly associated with the percent of children free of caries. None of the deprivation measures were statistically significantly associated with mean DMF-T scores (P > 0.05). GINI coefficient, an indicator of social inequalities, was negatively statistically significantly associated with both measures of dental caries experience, percent of caries free (P = 0.003) and mean DMF-T scores (P = 0.01). Per thousand number of homicides or attempted homicides, an indicator of social cohesion was of marginal statistical significance associated with caries experience. Results of multiple linear regression analyses showed that only the Gini coefficient remained statistically significantly associated with both dental clinical measures used, after adjusting for potential confounding. In conclusion, relative rather than absolute levels of income were stronger determinants of the onset of caries in this study.

Brazil↗

Empirical estimators of gamma fits to tracer-dilution curves and their technical basis and practical scope.

A gamma fit facilitates smoothing and extrapolation of distorted tracer-dilution curves in blood flow studies. Theoretically based empirical estimators were developed as simple alternatives to direct regression approaches from simulated gamma distributions with a wide range of shape asymmetry. Key curve features of peak height p, full width w at half peak height, rising and falling limb inflection tangents and asymmetry of the peak time with respect to the p/2 height occurrences were related to the parameters of the distribution by multiple linear regression after suitable transformations. The product pw was simply related to the total area A under the curve, pw/A being 0.93 +/- 0.01 in 70 cardiac output determinations from ten surgical patients. Shape and scale parameters were closely related to the standard deviation, inflection point properties and w for the curves. Mensuration devices suitable for cardiac output computers were developed that calculated total areas from incomplete portions under gamma curves and by-passed the need for parameter estimation. There was limited point in estimating the distribution parameters just to derive particle transit times, because of the ad hoc nature of the fitting form, which did not allow for the back-dispersion by Brownian motion of tracer molecules diluting in blood flow. Nonetheless, the accuracy of area prediction using a gamma fit was adequate for most clinical purposes and comparable to that via the random walk function, giving good insight to established results and computing procedures.

Algorithms↗

The relationship between psychosocial factors and condom use among African-American adolescents.

The present investigation explored the relationship between psychosocial factors and condom use by African-American adolescents. Two hundred twenty-nine males, aged 14 to 19 years, responded to a health behavior survey that gathered information on demographics, HIV knowledge, perceived certainty of future condom use, present and past use of condoms, and intention to use condoms in the next six months. Several psychological variables, including sexual self-efficacy and self-esteem, were also measured. It was found that the majority of participants were sexually active by age 13, had four or more lifetime sexual partners, and were using condoms regularly. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that sexual self-efficacy predicted perceived certainty of condom use. In addition, self-esteem and sexual self-efficacy predicted intention to use condoms. These findings highlight the need to develop HIV prevention curricula for African-American male adolescents that not only emphasize the potential risks associated with having multiple sexual partners, but also include components to enhance self-worth and sexual self-efficacy.

Adolescent↗

Adolescents' reported usage of selected foods in relation to their perceptions and social norms for those foods.

This paper reports a study of factors associated with the consumption of 22 diverse foods among 2082 students aged 12-15 years in Tasmania, Australia. Students provided data by completing a printed questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to assess how well self-reported usual (past) frequency of consumption of a food could be estimated from their perceptions of the qualities of the food (their liking for it, its healthfulness) and their descriptive social norms for the food (its usage by parents and its usage by friends). For all foods, multiple R was significant (p < 0.0001), with values ranging from 0.28-0.64 (median for the 22 foods being 0.49). Standardized regression coefficients for liking and parental usage were highly significant (p < 0.0001) for all foods. However, consistently lower coefficients were found for friends' usage (11 with p < 0.01, but only three with p < 0.0001) and healthfulness (five with p < 0.01, but only one with p < 0.0001). The absolute and relative magnitudes of the regression coefficients varied substantially between the foods. Liking was a stronger predictor than parental usage for 11 of the foods, and parental usage out-ranked liking for the remaining 11. Regression coefficients for friends' usage and healthfulness were smaller than those for liking and parental usage for all foods studied.

Adolescent↗

Factors related to the magnitude of T2* MR signal changes during functional imaging.

Our aim was to determine whether age, sex, the degree of weakness, anticonvulsants, the histology of the underlying lesion(s), the presence of oedema or the distance of the lesion from the motor region have an impact on the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal strength and therefore on the validity of functional MRI (fMRI). We studied 98 patients with masses near the central region imaged for surgical planning at 1.5 tesla, employing a BOLD sequence during a motor task. We calculated percentage signal change in the primary motor cortex between rest and activation and carried out multiple linear regression to examine the impact of the above factors on signal strength. Using a stepwise analysis strategy, the distance of the lesion from the motor region had the strongest influence (r=0.653, P<0.001). The factor with largest uncorrelated additional impact on signal change was the presence of oedema. Both predictors together formed a highly significant multiple r=0.739 ( P<0.001). No other predictive factor was identified (all P>0.20). Disturbances of cerebral blood flow and metabolism induced by the tumour were presumed to be the causes of a decrease in signal in the adjacent cortex.

Adolescent↗