Excellent Positive Correlation Research Articles

Psychometric Properties of the Trail Walking Test for People With Stroke.

ObjectiveTo investigate (i) the inter-rater and test–retest reliability of the trail walking test (TWT) and the minimum detectable change in the TWT completion time; (ii) the correlations between the TWT completion time and stroke-specific impairments; and (iii) the cutoff TWT completion time to distinguish between people with stroke and healthy older adults according to dual-tasking ambulation ability.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUniversity-based rehabilitation center.ParticipantsIn total, 104 people with stroke and 53 healthy older adults.Main Outcome MeasuresThe TWT, the Fugl–Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), the ankle muscle strength test, the limit of stability (LOS) test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the Community Integration Measure (CIM).ResultsThe mean TWT completion time in subjects with stroke was 124.906 s. The TWT demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability [intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.999] and good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.876) in people with stroke. The TWT performance demonstrated significant negative correlations with the FMA-LE scores (r = −0.409), LOS movement velocity (affected and unaffected sides; r = −0.320 and −0.388, respectively), and LOS endpoint excursion (affected and unaffected sides; r = −0.357 and −0.394, respectively); a significant positive correlation with the LOS reaction time (affected side; r = 0.256); a moderate negative correlation with the BBS scores (r = −0.72); and an excellent positive correlation with the TUG completion time (r = 0.944). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that an optimal cutoff of 69.61 s for the TWT completion time had an outstanding diagnostic power to distinguish between people with stroke and healthy older adults (area under the curve = 0.919) with high sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (83.0%).ConclusionResults of our preliminary study demonstrated that the TWT is a reliable, valid, sensitive, and specific clinical test for evaluating dual-tasking ambulation ability in people with stroke aged 45 years or above and without cognitive impairments. It can differentiate the dual-tasking ambulation ability between people with stroke and healthy older adults.

Insight into the fast pyrolysis of lignin: Unraveling the role of volatile evolving and char structural evolution

Unraveling the role of volatile evolving and char structural evolution, as well as the pyrolysis reaction pathway, is crucial for lignin effective valorization by a pyrolysis-based biorefinery approach. The fast pyrolysis of lignin at 200–800 °C was conducted to explore volatile release characteristics and their link with char structure evolution. The release of simple substituted aryl compounds below 350 °C was aided by the cleavage of β-O-4 and α-O-4. The C-O, C–C, and carboxyl groups of the depolymerized free radical fragments were cleaved further, providing stable mono-phenol (350 °C → 500 °C). Secondary reactions and pyrolytic macromolecular compounds resulted in the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (>700 °C). A cubic polynomial was developed to correlate the aromaticity with the atom ratio of H/C. The ring condensation degree and H/C demonstrated an excellent positive linear correlation. Additionally, the aromatization started at 350 °C, and small aromatic rings were changed into more ordered rings (≥6 rings). The fused-ring structures of char had progressed in the following order: 1 × 2, 2 × 3, 4 × 4, and 4 × 5, corresponding to 350 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C, respectively. High temperatures contributed to the formation of aromatic monomers. Lignin pyrolysis pathway was established based on the correlation between volatile release characteristics and char structural evolution.

Validation of wearable inertial sensor-based gait analysis system for measurement of spatiotemporal parameters and lower extremity joint kinematics in sagittal plane.

Wearable inertial sensor-based motion analysis systems are promising alternatives to standard camera-based motion capture systems for the measurement of gait parameters and joint kinematics. These wearable sensors, unlike camera-based gold standard systems, find usefulness in outdoor natural environment along with confined indoor laboratory-based environment due to miniature size and wireless data transmission. This study reports validation of our developed (i-Sens) wearable motion analysis system against standard motion capture system. Gait analysis was performed at self-selected speed on non-disabled volunteers in indoor (n = 15) and outdoor (n = 8) environments. Two i-Sens units were placed at the level of knee and hip along with passive markers (for indoor study only) for simultaneous 3D motion capture using a motion capture system. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was computed for spatiotemporal parameters from the i-Sens system versus the motion capture system as a true reference. Mean and standard deviation of kinematic data for a gait cycle were plotted for both systems against normative data. Joint kinematics data were analyzed to compute the root mean squared error (RMSE) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Kinematic plots indicate a high degree of accuracy of the i-Sens system with the reference system. Excellent positive correlation was observed between the two systems in terms of hip and knee joint angles (Indoor: hip 3.98° ± 1.03°, knee 6.48° ± 1.91°, Outdoor: hip 3.94° ± 0.78°, knee 5.82° ± 0.99°) with low RMSE. Reliability characteristics (defined using standard statistical thresholds of MAPE) of stride length, cadence, walking speed in both outdoor and indoor environment were well within the "Good" category. The i-Sens system has emerged as a potentially cost-effective, valid, accurate, and reliable alternative to expensive, standard motion capture systems for gait analysis. Further clinical trials using the i-Sens system are warranted on participants across different age groups.

LINC01088 regulates the miR-95/LATS2 pathway through the ceRNA mechanism to inhibit the growth, invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells.

Background: In gastric cancer, a malignant condition with a dismal prognosis, long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play a significant regulatory role. They often compete with microRNAs through the ceRNA mechanism to affect the expression of target mRNA. However, the specific clinical value and mechanism of action of LncRNA in gastric cancer are still unclear. Methods: This study detected the expression and clinical value of LINC01088 in gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, the biological functions of LINC01088 and the regulation mechanism of the miR-95/LATS2 pathway were explored.Results: LINC01088 and LATS2 mRNA expression decreased, and miR-95 increased in gastric cancer tissues. LINC01088 has an excellent positive correlation with LATS2 mRNA, which may be a ceRNA pair; LINC01088 has binding sites with miR-95. Gene interference tests on gastric cancer cell lines revealed that LINC01088 could prevent gastric cancer cells from proliferating, invading, and migrating. The function of LINC01088 is achieved by regulating the miR-95/LATS2 pathway through the ceRNA mechanism.Conclusion: The results of this study show that LINC01088 expression is significantly reduced in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. LINC01088 inhibits gastric cancer cells’ proliferation, invasion, and migration by regulating the miR-95/LATS2 pathway via the ceRNA mechanism.

Organic matter enrichment of the Chang 7 member in the Ordos Basin: Insights from chemometrics and element geochemistry

The lacustrine black shales of the Chang 7 member are the main source rocks and the most important unconventional (shale oil) petroleum resources in the Ordos Basin, North China. A series of continuous core samples was analysed for main, trace, and rare earth elements. The development of thin or laminar tuffs and tuffaceous mudstones and the enrichment of Fe, Mn, and other elements demonstrate that the Chang 7 member was influenced by event deposition, such as volcanic and hydrothermal activity. The ancient lake had brackish water and a relatively high sedimentation rate during the deposition of the Chang 7 member. The palaeoclimate in the early stage was warmer and wetter than that in the middle-late stage of the Chang 7 period. The geochemical proxies for palaeoproductivity and palaeoredox indicate that the ancient lake had a relatively high primary productivity with an anoxic to euxinic sulphide bottom water in the Chang 73 stage, which decreased to dyoxic-oxic water during the Chang 71+2 periods. A parameter dataset comprising 11 elemental proxies related to the reconstruction or evaluation of the depositional environment and palaeoproductivity was analysed using principal component analysis (PCA). The first principal component (PC1) accounted for 59.88% of the total variance in the original dataset and mainly represented the characteristics of palaeoproductivity and redox conditions; thus, it can be interpreted as an indicator of these factors. Based on the excellent positive linear correlation between the total organic matter content of the Chang 7 samples and the PC1 scores, the enrichment of organic matter in the Chang 7 member was mainly controlled by palaeoproductivity and the preservation environment. PCA is an effective method for dimensionality reduction and visualisation of multi-element geochemical data, which allows for a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of geological samples. This work provides a practical application of chemometrics in elemental geochemistry. This can serve as a model for other studies.

Petrographic and geochemical implications for ore genesis and mineralogical composition studies of the Tarat formation hosted sandstone uranium deposit in the Tamari Prospect from Arlit, Niger

The ongoing uranium mining activities coupled with mines development in SOMAIR open pit mine at Arlit led to the discovery of a new prospect called Tamari prospect endowed with a potential uranium ore deposit and have been subjected to a very few scientific studies but their characteristics still need to be examined in further detail investigation in order to determine the mineralogical composition, ore genesis and geochemical characteristics of the deposit. Based on detailed studies using optical microscopy, backscattered electron imaging, electron-microprobe and high resolution elemental mapping, the authors have established that detrital, authigenic and uranium ore-stage minerlization are associated with the deposit. Previous studies on the deposits documented two stages of uranium deposits one close to 190 Ma and the other close to 150 Ma. The dominant uranium ore minerals occur as uraninite. Pyrite and galena are the most dominant sulfide minerals associated with the uranium mineralization and therefore, chemical composition analysis shows that pyrite contains an average U concentration up to of 7.62 wt% and galena has an average of 27.16 wt%. The association U–Zr–Pb present in the zircon and monazite indicates that the geochemical environment responsible for this correlation should be that with a large association with lithophile elements which occur in monazite and zircon minerals that could possibly be the potential source of uranium. The impregnation of organic matter with U–Ti oxide indicates a synsedimentary or early source of uranium. Uraninite contains a high concentration of Zr (av. 5.77 wt%) suggesting a probable succession of fluid circulation that would allow either the deposition of two generations of uraninites or mineralization leaching. The excellent positive correlation of U, Fe, Ca and Mn in the mineralized pole of U–Ti oxides is related to the presence of high concentrations of complexing ligands such as carbonate, oxalate, hydroxide, fulvic and humic acids in the deposits. Uranium mineralization occurs as Iriginite (U–Mo) and the powellite (Pb–MoO4) cemented the quartz grains and kaolinite highlights a late fluid circulation.

Aliased Flow Signal Planimetry by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Grading Aortic Stenosis Severity: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Objectives: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard technique for assessing aortic stenosis (AS), with effective orifice area (EOA) recommended for grading severity. EOA is operator-dependent, influenced by a number of pitfalls and requires multiple measurements introducing independent and random sources of error. We tested the diagnostic accuracy and precision of aliased orifice area planimetry (AOAcmr), a new, simple, non-invasive technique for grading of AS severity by low-VENC phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with mild, moderate, or severe AS and six age- and sex-matched healthy controls had TTE and CMR examinations on the same day. We performed analysis of agreement and correlation among (i) AOAcmr; (ii) geometric orifice area (GOAcmr) by direct CMR planimetry; (iii) EOAecho by TTE-continuity equation; and (iv) the “gold standard” multimodality EOA (EOAhybrid) obtained by substituting CMR LVOT area into Doppler continuity equation.Results: There was excellent pairwise positive linear correlation among AOAcmr, EOAhybrid, GOAcmr, and EOAecho (p < 0.001); AOAcmr had the highest correlation with EOAhybrid (R2 = 0.985, p < 0.001). There was good agreement between methods, with the lowest bias (0.019) for the comparison between AOAcmr and EOAhybrid. AOAcmr yielded excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.997 and 0.998, respectively).Conclusions: Aliased orifice area planimetry by 2D phase contrast imaging is a simple, reproducible, accurate “one-stop shop” CMR method for grading AS, potentially useful when echocardiographic severity assessment is inconclusive or discordant. Larger studies are warranted to confirm and validate these promising preliminary results.

Validity of the scoring system for traumatic liver injury: a generalized estimating equation analysis.

The scoring system for traumatic liver injury (SSTLI) was developed in 2015 to predict mortality in patients with polytraumatic liver injury. This study aimed to validate the SSTLI as a prognostic factor in patients with polytrauma and liver injury through a generalized estimating equation analysis. The medical records of 521 patients with traumatic liver injury from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed. The primary outcome variable was in-hospital mortality. All the risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The SSTLI has five clinical measures (age, Injury Severity Score, serum total bilirubin level, prothrombin time, and creatinine level) chosen based on their predictive power. Each measure is scored as 0-1 (age and Injury Severity Score) or 0-3 (serum total bilirubin level, prothrombin time, and creatinine level). The SSTLI score corresponds to the total points for each item (0-11 points). The areas under the curve of the SSTLI to predict mortality on post-traumatic days 0, 1, 3, and 5 were 0.736, 0.783, 0.830, and 0.824, respectively. A very good to excellent positive correlation was observed between the probability of mortality and the SSTLI score (γ=0.997, P<0.001). A value of 5 points was used as the threshold to distinguish low-risk (<5) from high-risk (≥5) patients. Multivariate analysis using the generalized estimating equation in the logistic regression model indicated that the SSTLI score was an independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio, 1.027; 95% confidence interval, 1.018-1.036; P<0.001). The SSTLI was verified to predict mortality in patients with polytrauma and liver injury. A score of ≥5 on the SSTLI indicated a high-risk of post-traumatic mortality.

The Effect of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation Time on Visual Prognosis in Aphakia Cases after Open Globe Injury.

PurposeWe investigated the effect of the time of secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on final visual acuity and other causes affecting visual prognosis in cases left aphakic after open globe injury.MethodsThe study included 62 eyes of 62 patients left aphakic after the repair of open globe injury between 2012 and 2019. Demographic characteristics, trauma zone, ocular trauma score, type of injury, time of secondary IOL implantation, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications were recorded for each patient.ResultsThe mean follow-up time of 62 patients was 25.05 ± 12.59 months. The preoperative BCVA was found to be 2.40 ± 0.86 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), while the postoperative final BCVA was found to be 0.53 ± 0.70 logMAR (p < 0.01). The mean interval timing of secondary sulcus foldable IOL implantation was determined to be 3.79 ± 4.04 months. No correlation was observed between secondary IOL implantation time and final BCVA (r = 0.140, p = 0.319). Furthermore, when only pediatric patients were taken, an excellent positive correlation was found between the secondary IOL implantation time and final BCVA logMAR (r = 0.895, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression on final BCVA with age, revealed a significant model explaining 48.0% of the variability with younger age and better final BCVA with as significant coefficients (p = 0.007).ConclusionsAlthough time interval between primary repair and secondary IOL implantation to correct aphakia does not effect final BCVA in adult patients, earlier surgery should be considered for amblyopia management in pediatric patients.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index.

Objectives This study aims to adapt the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index specific to shoulder osteoarthritis into Turkish and to evaluate its validity and reliability.Patients and methods The WOOS index was translated and culturally adapted into Turkish, systematically. It was applied to a total of 68 patients (17 males, 51 females; mean age: 61.5±8.7 years; range, 45 to 80 years) with osteoarthritis of the shoulder treated conservatively. The reliability of the scale was checked through internal consistency and test-retest methods. Internal consistency was analyzed with Cronbach alpha value. Test-retest reliability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 25 patients. The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Society of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment (ASES) scores were used to conduct concurrent validity.Results The Cronbach alpha value of the scale was found to be excellent as 0.92 (p<0.001). The ICC value was also excellent as 0.97 (p<0.001). There was an excellent positive correlation with WORC (0.847; p<0.001) and a very good positive correlation with SPADI (0.788; p<0.001). It was also negatively very good to correlate with the ASES (-0.754; p<0.001). Additionally, subsections of WOOS had a good correlation with the corresponding subsections of WORC (0.779-0.664; p<0.001).Conclusion The Turkish version of the WOOS index is a valid and reliable tool and is recommended for use in the assessment of patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder.

T2-weighted Dixon MRI of the spine: A feasibility study of quantitative vertebral bone marrow analysis

PurposeTo compare the measurements of fat fraction (FF) and in-phase vs. opposed-phase ratio between two-dimensional T2-weighted (T2W) spin-echo (SE) Dixon and three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted (T1W) volume interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) Dixon sequences in malignant vertebral lesions and normal vertebral bone marrow. Materials and methodsThirty patients with focal vertebral malignancies (20 men, mean age, 67.3±9.4 [SD] years; age range: 41–84 years) and 30 patients without malignant spinal disease (11 men, mean age, 70.1±12.9 [SD]; age range: 53–93 years) were retrospectively included. Each patient underwent spine MRI at 1.5 Tesla including T2W SE and T1W VIBE 2-point Dixon sequences. Two readers independently performed 3D-volume of interest (VOI) and region of interest (ROI)-based FF and IO-ratio measurements of malignant lesions and normal vertebrae. Student t-test, Pearson correlation (r) test and two-way mixed model intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to compare measurements. ResultsT2W SE and T1W VIBE mean FF and IO-ratio were significantly smaller in malignancy compared to normal marrow, but there were significant differences of paired measurement mean values between T2W SE and T1W VIBE Dixon parameters in malignant lesions T2W SE VOI FF=9%, T2W SE ROI FF=7%, T2W SE IO-ratio=4% vs. T1W VIBE VOI FF=11%, T1W VIBE ROI FF=9%, T1W VIBE IO-ratio=−2%, and in normal vertebrae T2W SE VOI FF=74%, T2W SE ROI FF=77%, T2W SE IO-ratio=51% vs. T1W VIBE VOI FF=67%, T1W VIBE ROI FF=73%, T1W VIBE IO-ratio=58% (each P comparing the paired T2W TSE and T1W VIBE parameter, respectively<0.001). There was excellent positive correlation between T2W SE and T1W VIBE-FF (r≥0.99) and VOI and ROI FF measurements for each sequence (r≥0.99). Inter-reader agreement was excellent for all measurements (ICC≥0.94 for all). ConclusionCalculation of T2W SE Dixon derived FF is feasible and gave valid results that help discriminate between malignant vertebral lesions and normal vertebral bone marrow.

Application of the Langmuir-type diffusion model to study moisture diffusion into asphalt films

The objective of this study was to investigate the behavioral characteristics of moisture diffusion into asphalt films and to analyze the correlations between diffusion parameters and asphalt components. A Langmuir-type diffusion model was successfully established and applied.Experimental moisture uptake data of four asphalt films immersed in distilled water for 258 h were measured at intervals by the gravimetric method, and the diffusion parameters involved in the Langmuir-type model were exactly fitted by the least square method. Then, a component analysis of the asphalt was conducted by following the solvent precipitation method. Thus, correlations between diffusion parameters and asphalt components were further analyzed.The results show that the behavioral characteristics of moisture diffusion into asphalt films can be well explained by the theory of the Langmuir-type model and that the water molecules absorbed in asphalt films are in mobile and bound phases. The process of moisture diffusion in asphalt films can be divided into two stages: in the first stage, both adsorption of water molecules on the surface of the asphalt (transformation from the mobile phase to the bound phase) and transport of water molecules in the mobile phase through diffusion channels within the asphalt occur simultaneously; in the second stage, adsorption proceeds on the surface of the asphalt, and moisture uptake in the mobile phase becomes constant. The ratio of the adsorption coefficient to the desorption coefficient exhibited an excellent positive correlation with the moisture uptake in the bound phase, as well as with the total equilibrium moisture uptake (R2＞0.99). Among the four components in asphalt, the content of asphaltene was significantly and positively correlated with the adsorption coefficient, while polar aromatics were inversely correlated.

Use of near and mid infra-red spectroscopy for analysis of protein, fat, lactose and total solids in raw cow and camel milk

Milk samples (150 cow and 217 camel milk samples) were analyzed for protein, fat, lactose and total solids by near and mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy. Excellent positive correlations between the two methods were obtained for both types of milk (p < 0.001); for protein (r ≥ 0.96), fat (r ≥ 0.99), lactose (r = 0.82) and total solids (r = 0.90). The mean of the relative difference ((MIR values – NIR values)/0.5 (MIR values + NIR values) × 100%) for cow and camel milk were, for protein (+8.2 & +13.4%), fat (−9.3 & +0.9%), lactose (−5.4 &−0.7%) and total solids (−2.2 &−3.4%), respectively. The difference between the two methods may be due to the effects of differences in milk homogeneity, especially with respect to casein micelles and fat globules.

Seasonal changes in groundwater quality deterioration and chemometric analysis of pollution source identification in South India.

Hydrogeochemical understanding of groundwater is essential for the effective management of groundwater. This study has been carried out to have concrete data for the seasonal variations in hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in central Tamilnadu forming a complex geological terrain with a varied lithology. A total of 244 groundwater samples were collected during four different seasons, viz, southwest monsoon (SWM), summer (SUM), postmonsoon (POM), and northeast monsoon (NEM) from bore wells. The physical parameters such as pH, temperature, TDS, ORP, humidity, and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured insitu, whereas major ions were analyzed in the lab adopting standard procedures. Overall, higher EC and NO3 values were observed and exceeded the WHO permissible limit irrespective of seasons, except for NO3 in SWM. Na and HCO3 are the dominant cation and anion in the groundwater irrespective of seasons. The highest average values of Na (65.06mgL-1) and HCO3 (350.75mgL-1) were noted during SWM. Statistical analysis was carried out to elucidate the hydrogeochemistry of the region. Initially, to understand the ionic relationship, correlation matrix was used followed by factor analysis for determination of major geochemical control and later factor scores were derived to understand the regional representations. An attempt hasalso been made to identify the samples influenced by multiple geochemical processes and to understand their spatial variation in the study period. Correlation of geochemical parameters reveals a excellent positive correlation between Ca and NO3 in SUM, SWM, and NEM due to the dominant of anthropogenic sources and minor influence of weathering process. Strongly loaded factor scores are found to be mostly in the following order POM > NEM > SWM > SUM. Principal component analysis of different seasons indicates the interplay of natural weathering and anthropogenic factors. Overall, the predominant geochemical processes in this region, irrespective of seasons are weatheringand, ion exchange and anthropogenic activities.

Diagnosis of cyanide poisoning using an automated, field-portable sensor for rapid analysis of blood cyanide concentrations

Cyanide (both HCN and CN− are represented by CN) has multiple industrial applications, is commonly found in some foods, and is a component of fire smoke. Upon exposure, CN blocks production of adenosine triphosphate, causing cellular hypoxia and cytotoxic anoxia, which can eventually result in death. Considering CN’s quick onset of action and the long analysis times associated with current techniques, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a rapid and field-portable sensor to detect blood CN concentrations focusing on both concentration and diagnostic accuracy. The sensor takes advantage of the chemical properties of CN by converting it exclusively to HCN via acidification of whole blood. High-speed headspace transfer is used to deliver HCN to a capture solution where it is reacted with naphthalene dialdehyde and taurine to produce a fluorescent β-isoindole product. Simple spectrofluorometric analysis of the product provides quantitative analysis of CN from whole blood in 60 s and requires only 25 μL of blood (obtainable via fingerstick). A limit of detection of 5 μM, a linear range of 10–200 μM (with ≥15 μM considered CN exposed), and excellent accuracy (100 ± 15%) and precision (≤15.2% relative standard deviation) were obtained. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the sensor, rabbit blood samples (N = 190, including 24 blinded samples) were analyzed by both the sensor and a lab-based spectrophotometric method. An excellent positive correlation was obtained between the sensor and the lab-based method (R2 ˃ 0.995) confirming the concentration accuracy of the CN sensor. Moreover, the sensor produced no false positives or negatives when diagnosing CN poisoning.

Clinical applicaton of three-dimensional visualization technology in hepatectomy of complex hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To study the clinical application of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology in liver resection of complicated liver cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of 28 patients with complicated liver cancer treated from June 2017 to June 2018 in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. There were 26 males and 2 females, aged (46±10) years old. A treatment plan on how to perform liver resection for these patients was developed under the guidance of 3D visualization technology. The actual surgical procedures, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were documented. The virtual resected liver volume was compared with the actual resected liver volume. The virtual surgical resection margin was also compared with the actual surgical resection margin. Results All the 28 patients with complicated liver cancer completed the 3D visualization analysis with the location, shape and quantity of tumor being clearly shown. Of the 27 patients who underwent liver resection, 13 underwent anatomical hepatectomy, and 14 underwent non-anatomical hepatectomy. The operation time ranged from 145 to 350 min (median 240 min). The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 100 to 1 500 ml (median 300 ml). The incisional wound healed slowly in 4 patients, pleural effusion developed in 8 patients, and ascites in 2 patients. There were no significant differences in the virtual resected liver volume compared with the actual resected liver volume (P>0.05). There was an excellent positive correlation between the patient's virtual resected liver volume and the actual resected liver volume (r=0.986, P 0.05). There was an excellent positive correlation between virtual surgical resection margin and the actual surgical resection margin (r=0.983, P<0.05). Conclusion Three-dimensional visualization technology accurately assessed the liver status, optimized surgical procedures, and played an important role in liver resection of complex liver cancer. Key words: Imaging, three-dimensional; Complex hepatocellular carcinoma; Precise hepatectomy; Preoperative planning

Smartphone-aided Quantification of Iridocorneal Angle.

As the upgrading of smartphone technology revolutionizes the field of ophthalmic imaging, we put forward one more of its novel applications. This article presents the possibility of iridocorneal angle (ICA) estimation through smartphone-captured images. Such measured inferior ICA (at 6'o clock position) was comparable to the anterior segment optical coherence tomography measured trabecular iris angle at 500 μ at 270 degrees (P=0.06). They both had an excellent positive correlation (ρ=0.81, P<0.001). Therefore, smartphone image-aided angle estimation may be a simple, effective, and economical method for quantification of ICAs, paving a more evident way for identification of angle-closure disease.

Reliability of ABC/2 Method in Measuring of Infarct Volume in Magnetic Resonance Diffusion-Weighted Image.

Aims:Manual planimetry is the current method defining infarct volume on magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted image. ABC/2 method is an ellipsoid geometric formula with advantage estimation of intraparenchymal hemorrhage volume. Our study aimed to find the reliability and reproducibility of ABC/2 method compared to manual planimetric segmentation method.Settings and Design:This was a cross-sectional analytical study with retrospective and prospective data collection.Subjects and Methods:A total of 109 patients with acute ischemic stroke and underwent MR images at Ramathibodi Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Relationship between manual planimetric segmentation and ABC/2 methods (nonadjusted ABC/2 method and adjusted ABC*/2 method) was determined using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, linear regression analysis, and Bland–Altman plot. Subgroup analysis by location, onset, shape, and size of infarct volume was performed. Interobserver reliability was established using intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plot.Statistical Analysis Used:Wilcoxon signed-rank test, linear regression analysis, and Bland–Altman plot were used for statistical analysis.Results:Infarct volume measured with nonadjusted ABC/2 method (23.56, 48.81, 4.25, 0.11, 318.94) (mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum) and adjusted ABC*/2 method (13.37, 28.3, 2.08, 0.06, 170.10) was smaller than manual planimetric method (28.50, 58.64, 5.56, 0.27, 335.49) (P < 0.001). Linear regression's slope confirmed underestimation of volume infarct. In round-to-ellipsoid shape and white matter group, the differences found between nonadjusted ABC/2 and manual planimetric methods are not statistically significant.Conclusions:ABC/2 method is a simple, rapid, and reproducible method with an excellent positive correlation of both adjusted and nonadjusted ABC/2 methods to manual planimetric segmentation method but tendency to underestimated infarct volume. High interobserver reliability and good agreement between two observers have been established. The utilization of nonadjusted ABC/2 method should be used with caution due to its tendency to underestimate the infarct volume.

Quantification of Cisplatin Using a Modified 3-Material Decomposition Algorithm at Third-Generation Dual-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: An Experimental Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of third-generation dual-source dual-energy computed tomography to quantify cisplatin concentration using a 3-material decomposition algorithm in an experimental phantom. Fifteen agarose-based phantoms containing various concentrations of iodine (0, 1.0, 2.0 mg I/mL) and cisplatin (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 mg Pt/mL) were scanned using third-generation dual-source dual-energy computed tomography at 80 kV and 150 kV with tin prefiltration. A cisplatin map was generated using the cisplatin-specific 3-material decomposition algorithm to differentiate cisplatin from iodine and agar. The computed tomography (CT) values at 80 kV, 150 kV, mixed 120 kV, and the cisplatin map were measured. Interobserver variabilities for the CT measurements on the cisplatin map were assessed using interclass correlation coefficients. Correlation between the CT values and titrated cisplatin concentrations was correlated using Spearman rank correlation analysis. To assess the influence of iodine, linear regression lines for the CT values on the cisplatin map and titrated cisplatin concentrations were compared using an analysis of covariance. Interobserver agreement revealed almost perfect agreements (interclass correlation coefficients = 0.941-0.995). Significant and excellent positive correlations were observed between the CT values on the cisplatin map and titrated cisplatin concentrations (ρ = 0.980, P < 0.001 for all). The cisplatin map could identify the lowest cisplatin concentration of 0.5 mg Pt/mL in the presence of iodine. The iodine concentration had no significant effect on the CT measurements on the cisplatin map (P = 0.297, adjusted R = 0.993). The cisplatin map generated from the 3-material decomposition algorithm allows quantification of a cisplatin concentration in an experimental phantom, independent of co-present iodine.

Assessment of Corneal Backward Light Scattering in Diabetic Patients.

To analyze corneal backward light scattering differences in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We enrolled 43 eyes from 43 diabetic patients and 40 eyes from 40 healthy controls. Corneal backward light scattering was evaluated using densitometry measurements from different corneal layers and zones obtained using Scheimpflug tomography (PentacamHR). When densitometry values were divided by depth, anterior layer of diabetic corneas displayed significantly higher corneal backward light scattering values than controls (32.05, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 31.02-33.08 vs. 29.18, 95% CI, 27.60-30.76, P=0.024). Corneal densitometry measurements were also significantly higher in diabetic eyes compared with control eyes, when considered by concentric zones of total cornea in the 0 to 2 mm (21.65, 95% CI, 20.28-23.01 vs. 18.87 95% CI, 18.49-19.25, P=0.020), and anterior layer in the 0 to 2 mm (27.3, 95% CI, 25.04-29.56 vs. 22.31, 95% CI, 20.57-24.05, P<0.001), 2 to 6 mm (26.2, 95% CI, 24.99-27.41 vs. 22.4, 95% CI, 20.18-24.62, P<0.001) and 6 to 10 mm (32.19, 95% CI, 29.98-34.40 vs. 27.2, 95% CI, 25.39-29.01, P=0.022). There was excellent positive correlation between anterior total corneal densitometry measurements and duration of diabetes (r=0.802, P<0.001), although no significant correlation was observed with anterior total corneal densitometry measurements and hemoglobin A1c levels (r=0.080, P=0.621) in diabetic eyes. Backward light scattering values from the anterior layer of the cornea is greater in diabetic eyes than in controls. Anterior total corneal densitometry measurements show positive correlation with the duration of diabetes.