Article
Food Science & Technology
Nathalie De Beukelaer, Guido Weide, Ester Huyghe, Ines Vandekerckhove, Britta Hanssen, Nicky Peeters, Julie Uytterhoeven, Jorieke Deschrevel, Karen Maes, Marlies Corvelyn, Domiziana Costamagna, Ghislaine Gayan-Ramirez, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: This study investigated the muscle growth in children with spastic cerebral palsy after receiving Botulinum Neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A) injections. The results showed a significant decrease in cross-sectional muscle growth and an increase in echo-intensity six months post-BoNT-A injections compared to children who did not receive BoNT-A treatment.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Ciara R. Kelly, Marina Mourtzakis, Helena Furberg, Puneeta Tandon, Michael T. Paris
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the association between rectus abdominis muscle thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA), and examine the potential confounding effect of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) on the validity of rectus abdominis muscle thickness. The results suggest that rectus abdominis muscle thickness can be used as a measurement of muscle size in both women and men, with a minor confounding effect of the VAT compartment in men.
ACADEMIC RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Bradley A. Ruple, Paulo H. C. Mesquita, Joshua S. Godwin, Casey L. Sexton, Shelby C. Osburn, Mason C. McIntosh, Andreas N. Kavazis, Cleiton A. Libardi, Kaelin C. Young, Michael D. Roberts
Summary: Changes in myofibre cross-sectional area, fascicle length, and pennation angle following resistance training did not collectively predict changes in whole-muscle cross-sectional area. This suggests that myofibre hypertrophy is not directly associated with whole-muscle hypertrophy.
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Larissa Alice Dreier, Tugba Kapanci, Katharina Lonnemann, Margarete Koch-Hogrebe, Lucia Wiethoff-Ubrig, Markus Rauchenzauner, Markus Blankenburg, Boris Zernikow, Julia Wager, Kevin Rostasy
Summary: This study found that the sleep problems in children with CP are correlated with the severity of their motor and fine motor disabilities, rather than with the subtype or comorbidities of CP.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maysoun Nimer Saleh, Ahmad Alharbi, Abdulaziz Albalwi, Salem Alatawi, Maaidah Algamdi, Abdulaziz Alshahrani, Basil Al Bakri, Nihad Almasri
Summary: This study describes the characteristics and service utilization of children with cerebral palsy in Saudi Arabia, finding that most children have multiple impairments, but there is low utilization of related services.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ruimin Wu, Yan Gao, Huaqiong Zhang, Yijia Chen, Fan Tan, Daobing Zeng, Huabing Wan, Yi Yang, Jiaowei Gu, Zhijun Pei
Summary: This study explores the cerebral metabolic patterns of cerebral palsy patients without structural abnormalities using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and F-18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18-FDG PET) imaging. The findings suggest asymmetric metabolic reductions and negative correlations with GMFCS scores. The differential cortical glucose metabolism by F-18-FDG PET could help distinguish between different CP diagnoses that are not detected by MRI.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Roshaan Salie, Maaike M. Eken, Kirsten A. Donald, A. Graham Fieggen, Nelleke G. Langerak
Summary: The study found that adolescents and adults with CP in urban South Africa have different levels of physical activity compared to typically developing peers, with activity levels associated with GMFCS levels. Those who are more mobile dependent (higher GMFCS level) are less active. Additionally, even ambulant individuals with CP and TD cohorts were relatively inactive. Intervention programs for CP and TD adolescents should focus on strategies to promote lifelong physical activity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Britta Hanssen, Nicky Peeters, Ines Vandekerckhove, Nathalie De Beukelaer, Lynn Bar-On, Guy Molenaers, Anja Van Campenhout, Marc Degelaen, Christine Van den Broeck, Patrick Calders, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: This study found a disproportional decrease in muscle size and muscle strength around the knee and ankle joint in children with spastic cerebral palsy, highlighting large variability in the contribution of muscle size to muscle weakness.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jose-Ignacio De-Arriba-Agre, Carmen Garcia-Mulas, Sara Grigelmo-Hernandez, Jose-Jesus Jimenez-Rejano, Samuel Fernandez-Carnero, Fermin Naranjo-Cinto, Daniel Pecos-Martin, Susana Nunez-Nagy
Summary: Dry needling is commonly used for treating muscle pain, and the popliteus muscle is an important target for this technique. Ultrasound imaging is used to observe and study the soft tissues. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on a healthy population, showing that the popliteal puncture technique described by Mayoral et al. is reliable and safe.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luke K. Fuerniss, Bradley J. Johnson
Summary: This study validated a semi-automated workflow that can efficiently and objectively identify the type and measure the size of muscle fibers compared to a manual technique. The semi-automated workflow is six times faster than the manual workflow and yields similar results. This study demonstrates the efficiency and objectivity of the semi-automated workflow in imaging, classifying, and measuring muscle fibers.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lisa von Elling-Tammen, Christina Stark, Kim Ramona Wloka, Evelyn Alberg, Eckhard Schoenau, Ibrahim Duran
Summary: By analyzing the medical devices used by patients with cerebral palsy (CP), we developed a Medical Device Score Calculator (MDSC) to predict the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) score. The random forest algorithm proved to be the most accurate for predicting the GMFM-66 score, making the MDSC suitable for scientific research in large patient groups.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jennifer M. Ryan, Michael Walsh, Mary Owens, Michael Byrne, Thilo Kroll, Owen Hensey, Claire Kerr, Meriel Norris, Aisling Walsh, Grace Lavelle, Jennifer Fortune
Summary: This study examined the unmet health needs of young adults with cerebral palsy in Ireland and found that the discharge status from children's services did not affect the level of unmet health needs. It highlights the importance of lifelong care and appropriate services for individuals with cerebral palsy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Marcel B. Lanza, Hugo C. Martins-Costa, Carolina C. H. De Souza, Fernando Lima, Rodrigo C. R. Diniz, Mauro Chagas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate if muscle size calculation using a reduced or all slices images maintains a similar muscle size-strength relationship in maximal dynamic and isometric contractions. The results showed that using a reduced number of slices (CSA3) can significantly reduce the analysis time without compromising the muscle size-strength relationship in both maximal dynamic and isometric tests.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nicola Theis, Meghan A. Brown, Paula Wood, Mark Waldron
Summary: This study found that after long-term leucine supplementation, muscle strength and volume increased in individuals with cerebral palsy, while inflammation levels decreased and overall wellbeing improved.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Bilinc Dogruoz Karatekin, Gulnihal Kacar, Afitap Icagasioglu
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of obesity and its relationship with motor function in children with ambulatory cerebral palsy. It was found that Turkish children with CP had a higher rate of obesity compared to typically developing peers and children with CP in other countries. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the causes of obesity and develop effective intervention programs for prevention in children with CP.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Laure Everaert, Eirini Papageorgiou, Anja Van Campenhout, Luc Labey, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: The prevalence and specific features of AFOs in children with CP were examined, and it was found that rigid AFOs were most commonly prescribed. AFOs were found to improve gait, particularly for specific gait patterns such as crouch and apparent equinus.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Nicky Peeters, Britta Hanssen, Nathalie De Beukelaer, Ines Vandekerckhove, Fenna Walhain, Ester Huyghe, Tijl Dewit, Hilde Feys, Anja Van Campenhout, Christine Van den Broeck, Patrick Calders, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: During childhood, muscle growth is influenced by various factors, including bone growth, physical activity, nutrition and genetics. Ultrasonography is a commonly used technique to assess muscle morphology, but there is a lack of normative data for monitoring muscle growth and pathology. This study provides a normative database of four lower limb muscles in typically developing children.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Health Policy & Services
Geert Molenberghs
Summary: In this commentary, we compare the role of biostatistics and biostatisticians in the COVID-19 response in Belgium and Israel, discussing implications and opportunities for our field and for science. We argue that biostatistics plays a crucial role in the multidisciplinary COVID-19 response, including research, policy advice, and science communication. In Belgium, biostatisticians collaborate with various experts and policy makers to provide rapid and evidence-based policy advice, while also playing a role in public communication.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
C. Aerts, G. Molenberghs, J. De Ridder
Summary: This study evaluates the properties of 15062 newly discovered Gaia DR3 gravity-mode pulsators to increase the sample of optimal targets for future gravito-inertial asteroseismology. The selected gravity-mode pulsators have properties in line with those of their well-known Kepler analogues, revealing the role of Gaia in asteroseismology.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nicky Peeters, Britta Hanssen, Lynn Bar -On, Friedl De Groote, Nathalie De Beukelaer, Marjan Coremans, Christine Van den Broeck, Bernard Dan, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: Given the heterogeneous clinical presentation of spastic cerebral palsy (SCP), this study aimed to investigate the association between spasticity and muscle morphology, as well as compare muscle morphology in different spasticity patterns.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Britta Hanssen, Nicky Peeters, Tijl Dewit, Ester Huyghe, Bernard Dan, Guy Molenaers, Anja Van Campenhout, Lynn Bar-On, Christine Van den Broeck, Patrick Calders, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: This study examined the reliability of 3-dimensional freehand ultrasound (3DfUS) for measuring muscle size, length, and echo-intensity in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) and typical development (TD). The results showed high reliability for muscle size and length measures, with some variation depending on the muscle, rater, and session. Echo-intensity measures had lower reliability, but absolute reliability was better for distal muscles compared to proximal muscles. Overall, 3DfUS appears to be a reliable tool for assessing muscle morphology in children with SCP and TD, but further investigation is needed for certain parameters.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dries De Witte, Ariel Alonso Abad, Geert Molenberghs, Geert Verbeke, Lizet Sanchez, Pedro Mas-Bermejo, Thomas Neyens
Summary: In order to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Cuba, daily data on various epidemiological indicators have been collected for each municipality. Analyzing the spatio-temporal dynamics and correlations of these indicators can provide insights on the spread of COVID-19 in Cuba. This study developed a multivariate spatio-temporal model using Bayesian framework to examine the association between weekly COVID-19 deaths and imported cases in Cuba during 2021, considering both spatial and temporal patterns.
SPATIAL AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chellafe Ensoy-Musoro, Minh Hanh Nguyen, Niel Hens, Geert Molenberghs, Christel Faes
Summary: The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide led to the implementation of various non-pharmaceutical interventions to limit transmission and reduce infections. Using telecom-operator-based mobility data and a spatio-temporal dynamic model, the impact of mobility on the evolution of the pandemic in 581 Belgian municipalities was investigated. The study found that reducing mobility has a significant impact on reducing the number of new infections.
SPATIAL AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Lien Moreel, Albrecht Betrains, Michael Doumen, Geert Molenberghs, Steven Vanderschueren, Daniel Blockmans
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of combined cranial and large vessel imaging by PET/CT, ultrasound, and MRI for giant cell arteritis (GCA). The results showed that combined cranial and large vessel ultrasound had a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 96%. PET/CT of both cranial and large vessels yielded a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 79%. Depending on the setting, expertise, and clinical presentation, either PET/CT or ultrasound may be preferred as the diagnostic method.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Trung Dung Tran, Ariel Alonso Abad, Geert Verbeke, Geert Molenberghs, Iven Van Mechelen
Summary: In many areas, researchers and practitioners face the challenge of choosing the optimal decision rules, particularly in the search for optimal treatment regimes. This article reflects on the concept of optimality of decision rules and treatment regimes, and discusses the search space, optimization criteria, and choice aspects involved. Practical examples and empirical evidence are used to illustrate these reflections and facilitate the dialogue between statistical consultants and applied researchers in the search for optimal treatment regimes.
BIOMETRICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nathalie De Beukelaer, Ines Vandekerckhove, Geert Molenberghs, Gunnar Naulaers, Liesbeth Thewissen, Domiziana Costamagna, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere, Els Ortibus
Summary: This study found that muscle growth is already affected in infants with spastic cerebral palsy. Muscle size growth further reduces with decreasing functional levels, regardless of the brain lesion. Early monitoring and intervention for muscle growth is necessary.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Fenna Walhain, Marlies Declerck, Ruby Chin A. Fat, Lynn Bar-On, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere
Summary: This study compared muscle morphology and architecture in typically developing children with African, South Asian, and Southeast Asian descent from Suriname, and found differences in tendon length, fascicle length, and pennation angle between children of different ancestral backgrounds.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Social
Margaux Delporte, Dries De Witte, Stefaan Demarest, Geert Verbeke, Geert Molenberghs, Vera Hoorens
Summary: In a six-month longitudinal study, we found that beliefs about COVID-19 and precautions were associated with the likelihood of illness. Personal optimism, perceived personal control, perceived effectiveness of precautions, and adherence to precautions were linked to a lower likelihood of illness. On the other hand, perceived control over infection outcome, egocentric impact perception, perceived difficulty of adherence to precautions, and personal and egocentric impact perception of precautions were associated with a higher likelihood of illness. Comparative optimism and personal optimism about severe disease or good outcome did not predict morbidity, nor did perceived personal control over severe disease and moralization of the precautions. Implications for public health communication are discussed.
SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS
(2023)
