Translational Research

Objective: Cell structural changes are one of the main features observed during the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this work, we propose the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics to assess specific ultrastructural changes in the central nervous system during the early neurodegenerative stages of ALS. Methods: Ultra-high field MRI and DTI data at 17.6T were obtained from fixed, excised mouse brains, and spinal cords from ALS (G93A-SOD1) mice. Results: Changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) and linear, planar, and spherical ani-sotropy ratios (C L , C P , and C S , respectively) of the diffusion eigenvalues were measured in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) areas associated with early axonal degenerative processes (in both the brain and the spinal cord). Specifically, in WM structures (corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, and spinal cord funiculi) as the disease progressed, FA, C L , and C P values decreased, whereas C S values increased. In GM structures (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and central spinal cord) FA and C P decreased, whereas the C L and C S values were unchanged or slightly smaller. Histological studies of a fluorescent mice model (YFP, G93A-SOD1 mouse) corroborated the early alterations in neuronal morphology and axonal connectivity measured by DTI. Conclusions: Changes in diffusion tensor shape were observed in this animal model at the early, nonsymptomatic stages of ALS. Further studies of C L , C P , and C S as imaging biomarkers should be undertaken to refine this neuroimaging tool for future clinical use in the detection of the early stages of ALS. K E Y W O R D S amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, animal models, diffusion tensor imaging, G93A-SOD1 mice, ultra-high field MRI

In this study, we uncovered a mechanistic link between intestinal inflammation and repair. We showed that cluster of differentiation 74 (CD74) signaling is strongly activated during intestinal inflammation, and promotes mucosal healing by enhancing intestinal epithelial cell proliferation by activating the protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways.

Background: Postpartum contraceptive use is vital to improve maternal and child survival. It helps to have desired family size, optimal child spacing, prevent unplanned pregnancies and associated adverse birth outcomes. However, postpartum contraceptive use in Tanzania is still low as 28% a year after birth. Only 49% of Tanzanian women adhere to recommended optimal birth interval. Previous studies also have reported that short median interval for resumption to sex after birth among African women may affect maternal and child health wellbeing. This study aimed to assess optimal time to contraceptive use and predictors of time to contraceptive use after birth among women of reproductive age in Tanzania.
Methods: A cross section study using the TDHS 2015-16 data was used. A total of 4127 postpartum women were extracted where information on pregnancy, births and contraceptive use were recorded over the previous 5 years with the focus on most recent birth from the contraceptive calendar.. Data analysis using Stata 14.0 accounted for complex survey design and weighting. Descriptive statistics were summarized where Time to modern contraceptive use after birth was computed using Kaplan Meier estimate. Both crude and adjusted time ratios with 95% CI were estimated using Weibull accelerated failure time models. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistical significantly.
Results: A total weighted sample of 3775 women was analyzed whereby majority had 25-29 years (21.50%). Two third resided in rural areas while mostly were from Lake Zone (19.62%).The median time to contraceptive use after birth and resumption of sex were 7(IQR 4-13) and 2(IQR:1-5) months respectively. It was longer among unmarried than married counterparts 12.5(IQR: 6-19) versus 9(IQR: 4-14.5) months, respectively. After adjusted analysis with weibull AFT model, never been married (TR: 1.63; 95%CI: 1.26-2.11) and breastfeeding (TR: 5.50; 95%CI: 4.12-7.35) predicted expected longer time to postpartum modern contraceptive. Also belonging to richest wealth quintile (TR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.54-0.99) and adopting long acting methods (TR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.60-0.82) predicted expected shorter time to postpartum modern contraceptive use.
Conclusion: There was a time lag of five months from resumption of sex and initiation of postpartum modern contraception for majority implied delay in uptake of PPFP. The interceptive measures to facilitate timely availing methods of their choice, efforts to close the gap on zonal variations, economic empowerment and promotion of utilization of maternal health care services as may reduce delays in use of PPFP
Time interval to modern contraceptive use following child birth among reproductive women in Tanzania: Evidence from Tanzania Demographic Health Survey2015/16

Globally, citizens exist for sustained periods in states of aging-related disease and multimorbidity. Given the urgent and unmet clinical, health care, workforce, and economic needs of aging populations, we need interventions and programs that regenerate tissues and organs and prevent and reverse aging-related damage, disease, and frailty (1). In response to these challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a comprehensive public-health response within an international legal framework based on human rights law (1). Yet for a clinical trial to be conducted, a disease to be diagnosed, intervention prescribed, and treatment administered; a corresponding disease classification code is needed, adopted nationally from the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Such classifications and staging are fundamental for health care governance among governments and intergovernmental bodies. We describe a systematic and comprehensive approach to the classification and staging of organismal senescence and aging-related diseases at the organ and tissue levels in order to guide policy and practice and enable appropriate interventions and clinical guidance, systems, resources, and infrastructure.