LS Values Research Articles

Spleen Stiffness Predicts Survival after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Cirrhotic Patients.

Objectives Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective intervention for portal hypertensive complications. Little is known about the ability of spleen stiffness (SS) for predicting the survival of cirrhotic patients undergoing TIPS. This study is to evaluate the influence of SS detected by point shear wave elastography (pSWE) in predicting survival after TIPS. Methods This retrospective cohort study screened consecutive patients who underwent TIPS and reliable pSWE measurement between October 2014 and September 2017 from our prospectively maintained database. SS values were measured before TIPS. The primary endpoint was the overall survival after TIPS. The Cox regression analysis model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Results A total of 89 patients were involved in the final analysis. 24 patients (27.0%) died during a median follow-up time of 31 m. Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that higher SS value (P < 0.001), LS value (P = 0.008), diameter of shunt (P = 0.001), and older age (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of survival after TIPS. The risk of death rose 57.440-fold for each SS unit (m/s) increase. SS was also correlated with liver failure after TIPS. ROC analysis showed that the best SS cutoff value was 3.60 m/s for predicting survival, with a sensitivity of 54.2% and specificity of 90.8%. Conclusions The SS value determined by pSWE in cirrhotic patients was an independent predictive factor for survival after TIPS.

Clinical usefulness of relative apical sparing pattern for predicting functional recovery after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Abstract Background Relative apical sparing pattern (RASP) is thought to be associated with prognosis in patients with cardiac amyloidosis or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Although almost all patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) have LVH, little is known about the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe AS exhibiting a RASP. Purpose This study aimed to elucidate the effect of TAVI on left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LS; LVGLS) in patients with severe AS exhibiting a RASP. Methods Eighty-four patients who underwent transfemoral or subclavian TAVI were evaluated. They were divided into the RASP and non-RASP groups. The average apical LS divided by the sum of the average mid and basal LS values of &amp;gt;1.0 was defined as the RASP. We analyzed the difference between pre- and post-TAVI LVGLS (ΔGLS = post-TAVI LVGLS − pre-TAVI LVGLS). Results Of the 84 patients (mean age, 84.5±3.9 years; 24 men), 15 (17.9%) exhibited a RASP. No significant difference in mean pre-TAVI LVGLS was found between the RASP and non-RASP groups (−16.6% ± 3.8% vs. −15.8% ± 3.9%). The ΔGLS in the RASP group was significantly higher than that in the non-RASP group (−0.97% ± 2.5% vs. −2.6% ± 3.0%; P&amp;lt;0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that relative apical longitudinal strain was an independent predictor of ΔGLS (β = 0.35, p=0.002). Conclusion Relative apical longitudinal strain was associated with LVGLS recovery. The effect of TAVI on LVGLS in patients with a RASP is inferior to that in patients without a RASP. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Nanoscale patterning at the Si/SiO2/graphene interface by focused He+ beam

We have studied the capability of He+ focused ion beam (He+-FIB) patterning to fabricate defect arrays on the Si/SiO2/Graphene interface using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman imaging to probe damage zones. In general, an amorphized ‘blister’ region of cylindrical symmetry results upon exposing the surface to the stationary focused He+ beam. The topography of the amorphized region depends strongly on the ion dose, DS , (ranging from 103 to 107ions/spot) with craters and holes observed at higher doses. Furthermore, the surface morphology depends on the distance between adjacent irradiated spots, LS . Increasing the dose leads to (enhanced) subsurface amorphization and a local height increase relative to the unexposed regions. At the highest areal ion dose, the average height of a patterned area also increases as ∼1/LS . Correspondingly, in optical micrographs, the µm2-sized patterned surface regions change appearance. These phenomena can be explained by implantation of the He+ ions into the subsurface layers, formation of helium nanobubbles, expansion and modification of the dielectric constant of the patterned material. The corresponding modifications of the terminating graphene monolayer have been monitored by micro Raman imaging. At low ion doses, DS , the graphene becomes modified by carbon atom defects which perturb the 2D lattice (as indicated by increasing D/G Raman mode ratio). Additional x-ray photoionization spectroscopy (XPS) measurements allow us to infer that for moderate ion doses, scattering of He+ ions by the subsurface results in the oxidation of the graphene network. For largest doses and smallest LS values, the He+ beam activates extensive Si/SiO2/C bond rearrangement and a multicomponent material possibly comprising SiC and silicon oxycarbides, SiOC, is observed. We also infer parameter ranges for He+-FIB patterning defect arrays of potential use for pinning transition metal nanoparticles in model studies of heterogeneous catalysis.

Possibilities of including surface runoff barriers in the slope-length factor calculation in the GIS environment and its integration in the user-friendly LS-RUSLE tool

The effect of the morphology is key aspect of erosion modelling. In Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) type methods, this effect is expressed by the topographic factor (LS). The LS calculation in GIS is performed by a unit contributing area (UCA) method and can mainly be influenced by the pixel resolution, by the flow direction algorithm and by the inclusion of a hydrologically closed unit (HCU) principle, the cutoff slope angle (CSA) principle and the ephemeral gullies extraction (EG) principle. This research presents a new LS-RUSLE tool created with the inclusion of these principles in the automatic user-friendly GIS tool. The HCU principle using a specific surface runoff interruption algorithm, based on pixels with NoData values at the interruption points (pixels), appears to be key. With this procedure, the occurrence of overestimation results by flow conversion was rapidly reduced. Additionally, the reduction of extreme L and LS values calculated in the GIS environment was reached by the application of the CSA and EG principles. The results of the LS-RUSLE model show the prospective use of this tool in practice.

Ketorolac Is Not More Effective Than Flunixin Meglumine or Phenylbutazone in Reducing Foot Pain in Horses

The objective was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) and two other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including flunixin meglumine (FM) and phenylbutazone (PB), using a heart bar shoe (HBS) model of reversible foot lameness in horses. Nine adult horses were used in a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. After induction of left front limb lameness using a modified HBS model, one of three NSAIDs (KT, 2.0 mg/kg IV; FM, 1.1 mg/kg IV; PB, 4.4 mg/kg IV) or saline (placebo) was administered IV as a single dose. Lameness was assessed every 30 minutes for 2 hours, then every hour up to 12 hours using both a lameness grading scale (lameness score; LS) and a body-mounted inertial sensor system (lameness locator; LL). High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to measure plasma drug concentration at various time points. There was no difference in percent reduction of LS or LL value between KT and any other group, or between FM and placebo. The PB group showed a significantly higher percentage in LS reduction than the placebo and FM groups. The mean percent reduction in LL value was greater for the PB group than that for the placebo and FM groups. Plasma drug concentration was similar among horses for each drug at each time point, with drug concentrations decreasing over time. Thus, variation in plasma drug concentration did not influence lameness reduction for any drug. Ketorolac tromethamine was not superior to FM or PB in reducing lameness using a HBS model.

Electro-vibrational Ising-type model for spin crossover in binuclear molecules

A spin crossover in binuclear molecule is investigated using an Ising-type model, including the intramolecular vibrations. The spin transition curve of [Fe(bt)(NCS)2]2bpym complex which presents a two-step transition plateau is well described by the above model. We show that the equilibrium low-spin/high-spin temperature $$ T_{\text{eq}} $$ is independent of the vibration frequencies of the intermediate state (HS–LS or LS–HS) $$ \omega_{\text{LHS}} $$ . In addition, a large values of LS–LS state vibration frequencies $$ \omega_{\text{LLS}} $$ lead to an evident two-step transition plateau.

Sustainable glass-ceramic foams manufactured from waste glass bottles and bentonite

Glass-ceramic foams were manufactured with waste glass bottle (85.7 wt%, 87.5 wt%, and 88.9 wt%) and bentonite. The raw materials were characterized by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal treatment to obtain the glass-ceramic foams were conducted to eliminate the polyurethane without damaging their structure. The glass-ceramic foams sintering was performed at 750 °C, 800 °C, and 850 °C. The macro and microanalysis (optical microscopy) showed a significant porosity reduction, in the samples with higher waste glass contents. Pore closure also was found in samples sintered at 850 °C. In both cases, the pore closure resulted from melting of the glass-ceramic foam. The X-ray diffraction results show that the calcium sodium silicate (Na2Ca3Si6O16) was the main crystalline phase. The physico-mechanical properties (linear shrinkage-LS, loss of mass on fire-LMF, water absorption-WA, apparent porosity-AP, bulk density-BD, and flexural strength-σf) were evaluated for glass-ceramics foams containing 85.7 wt% and 87.5 wt% of waste glass, sintered at 750 °C and 800 °C. The glass-ceramic foams sintered at 750 °C showed an average pore size of 275 μm and 330 μm, porosity of 65.1% and 39.8% and flexural strength of 0.32 MPa and 1.42 MPa for samples containing 85.7 wt% and 87.5 wt% waste glass, respectively. Already sintered foams at 800 °C, the average pore size was 283 μm and 239 μm, the porosity of 37.7% and 18.8% and the flexural strength of 1.90 MPa and 3.77 MPa for samples containing 85.7 wt% and 87.5 wt% waste glass, respectively. In general, the LMF, PA and WA values decrease with the increasing temperature, while the BD, LS, and σf values increase with temperature.

Modeling sleep onset misperception in insomnia.

To extend and validate a previously suggested model of the influence of uninterrupted sleep bouts on sleep onset misperception in a large independent data set. Polysomnograms and sleep diaries of 139 insomnia patients and 92 controls were included. We modeled subjective sleep onset as the start of the first uninterrupted sleep fragment longer than Ls minutes, where parameter Ls reflects the minimum length of a sleep fragment required to be perceived as sleep. We compared the so-defined sleep onset latency (SOL) for various values of Ls. Model parameters were compared between groups, and across insomnia subgroups with respect to sleep onset misperception, medication use, age, and sex. Next, we extended the model to incorporate the length of wake fragments. Model performance was assessed by calculating root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the difference between estimated and perceived SOL. Participants with insomnia needed a median of 34 minutes of undisturbed sleep to perceive sleep onset, while healthy controls needed 22 minutes (Mann-Whitney U = 4426, p < 0.001). Similar statistically significant differences were found between sleep onset misperceivers and non-misperceivers (median 40 vs. 20 minutes, Mann-Whitney U = 984.5, p < 0.001). Model outcomes were similar across other subgroups. Extended models including wake bout lengths resulted in only marginal improvements of model outcome. Patients with insomnia, particularly sleep misperceivers, need larger continuous sleep bouts to perceive sleep onset. The modeling approach yields a parameter for which we coin the term Sleep Fragment Perception Index, providing a useful measure to further characterize sleep state misperception.

1187 Evaluation of left and right ventricular functions with 3D speckle tracking in patients with mitral stenosis

Abstract Background The function of both ventricles have been suggested to be affected in patients with mitral stenosis. In this study, it was aimed to investigate deformation properties of right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) in mild and moderate rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) patients with three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Methods A total of 60 patients were included in the study (20 patients with mild MS diagnosis, 20 patients with moderate MS diagnosis and 20 healthy volunteers). Three-dimensional echocardiography datasets were obtained for both ventricles in all patients. An example for RV assessment is shown in Figure 1. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV torsion, RV free wall (FW) LS and interventricular septal (IVS) LS measurements were analyzed. Results The LV ejection fraction (EF), RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were statistically similar and in the normal range. The LV GLS measurements were significantly different among the groups by being highest in the control group and least in the moderate stenosis group (ANOVA,p &amp;lt; 0.001) (Table 1). Patients with MS showed higher torsional values, correlated with MS severity (ANOVA,p &amp;lt; 0.001) (Table 1). IVS LS, RVFW LS values obtained by RV analysis also differed significantly among groups. The FW-GLS values only showed significant difference between the control group and moderate MS group (Table 1). Conclusion Patients with mitral stenosis showed lower LV-GLS and higher LV torsion values. Although the LV GLS is affected; the LV EF was detected to be normal due to increase in LV torsion. RV deformation indices showed signıficant decrease in correlation with the severity of the mitral stenosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that subclinical LV and RV systolic dysfunction is present in mild-moderate MS patients and this dysfunction can be detected by 3D-STE. Table 1 Parameters Control group Mild MS Moderate MS P LV GLS (%) 23.3 ± 2.08 18.9 ± 1.3 17.5 ± 1.8 &amp;lt;0.001 LV torsion 1.5 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.6 2.6 ± 0.5 &amp;lt;0.001 IVS LS (%) 23 ± 3.0% 20 ± 2.6 17.1 ± 2.9 &amp;lt;0.001 RV FW LS (%) 25.4 ± 5 22.7 ± 3.2 21.1 ± 4.8 &amp;lt;0.001 FW; free-wall, GLS; global longitudinal strain, IVS; interventricular septum, LV; left ventricular, RV; right ventricular Abstract 1187 Figure 1

P310 The role of the left ventricle deformation parameters determining reverse remodeling due to six months of spironolactone therapy

Abstract Introduction Spironolactone is widely used in the pharmacotherapy of patients (pts) with HFrEF. However, there is still little information on the influence of spironolactone therapy on the global and regional left ventricular (LV) function. Aim Evaluation of the influence of regional deformation parameters on global LV systolic function as a result of six months of spironolactone therapy. Methods The study included 39 pts (mean age 64 years, with stable heart failure; NYHA class II-III, mean LVEF 37,4%, mean wall motion index score, WMSI 1,62). All pts received optimal standard treatment before entering the study. Then therapy of spironolactone 25mg daily was introduced. Clinical status, treadmill exercise test (compilation time and effort level), NT-pro-BNP and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) assessment were analyzed. Two groups were created according to LV reverse remodeling (PRR -responders, 10% increase in LVEF and/or 15% decrease in LVESV; NRR- nonresponders). Differences between NRR I PRR, at the start point and after six months therapy of spironolactone for the above-mentioned parameters, were analyzed. Results Reverse remodeling was observed in 21 pts (PRR). There were no differences between PRR I NRR in: exercise test on the treadmill (compilation parameters: 27,86 vs 29,41), NYHA class, Nt-pro BNP levels (1071 vs 1172 pg/ml). WMSI in both groups was similar (respectively: 1,62 vs 1,61), however akinetic region in apical and septal regions of LV in NRR were more often represented (NRR 91,6% vs PRR 35% pts). PRR showed significantly better improvement of peak systolic longitudinal (LS) and circumferential (CS) strain in the apical (AP) and LV septal region of LV (SEP) depending on the post-infarction condition. (table 1) Conclusions Improvement of left ventricle systolic function depends on the regional contractility status of the myocardium. Longitudinal (LS) and circumferential (CS) peak systolic strain, regardless of ejection fraction and WMSI are the sensitive parameters determining improvements of the LV systolic function. The study showed that cut-off values to predict reverse LV remodeling must be lower than -10.08% for CS and -11.55% for LS. Tab.1. CS nad LS value at the end point Region of LV NRR mean strain % PRR mean strain% p value (NRRvs PRR) CS AP -11,42 -15,47 0.03 CS SEP -12,3 -17,04 0.02 LV 3CH -13,42 -16,30 0.04 CA AP-circumferential strain in apical LV region, CS SEP- circumferential strain in septal LV region, LV 3CH- longitudinal strain in three-chamber view of LV

Evaluation of condyle-fossa relationships in adolescents with various skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography.

To evaluate the condyle-fossa relationship in adolescents with various skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images obtained in 120 adolescent patients were used for this study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to 3 criteria: (1) age (early, middle, and late adolescence); (2) facial height ratio or Jarabak quotient (hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent); and (3) ANB classification (Class I, Class II, and Class III). Temporomandibular joint space (TMJS: AS, anterior space; SS, superior space; PS, posterior space; MS, medial space; LS, lateral space), width and depth of the condyle (MLT, mediolateral thickness; APT, anteroposterior thickness), articular slope (ArS) and vertical height of the fossa (VHF) were measured and compared using CBCT. Differences in condyle-fossa relationships were not significantly different between male and female adolescents, but were significantly different (P < .05) between left and right sides. The mean values showed no statistical differences according to age and skeletal pattern. Most measurements in the sagittal view showed that SS was the greatest, and the mean ratio of AS to SS to PS was 1.00 to 1.27 to 1.19, respectively. The mean values of coronal MS and LS were not significantly different. There were almost no statistical differences in the TMJS in adolescents across various factors except between left and right sides.

P3371Impact of severe aortic stenosis on layer-specific longitudinal strain and its prognostic value

Abstract Background Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was used to detect early myocardial dysfunction in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), however few data are currently available on the different susceptibility of specific myocardial layer to increased wall stress and its prognostic role. The present study sought to investigate the relationship between changes in LV multilayer strain and the clinical outcome of patients with severe AS and preserved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods We included in the analysis 211 patients (56% males, mean age 73±12 years old) with severe AS and LVEF≥50%, divided in symptomatic (n=114) and asymptomatic group (n=97), and 50 controls matched for age and sex. Patients with moderate-to-severe concomitant valvulopathy and inadequate acoustic windows for evaluation by speckle tracking analysis were excluded. Clinical, demographic and resting echocardiographic data were recorded, including quantification of 2D GLS, subendocardial LS and subepicardial LS. Results Symptomatic patients had increased LV wall thickness and LV mass index than asymptomatic ones (p&lt;0.001), higher transaortic mean pressure gradients (48±14 vs 44±13 mmHg, p=0.004), and lower aortic valve areas (0.42±0.09 vs 0.45±0.08 cm2/m2, p&lt;0.017). GLS was significantly lower in patients with AS compared to controls, especially in symptomatic group (17.9±3.4 vs 19.1±3.1 vs 20.7±2.1%, p&lt;0.001 in symptomatic, asymptomatic and control groups respectively) suggesting an early, subtle, myocardial dysfunction. In particular, the analysis of layer-specific myocardial deformation revealed a marked difference in both the subendocardial LS (20.1±4.9 vs 21.7±4.2 vs 23.4±2.5%, p&lt;0.001) and subepicardial LS (15.8±3.1 vs 16.8±2.8 vs 18.3±1.8%, p&lt;0.001). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, subendocardial LS was independently associated to symptoms (OR=1.148, p=0.014), together with indexed left atrial volume (OR=1.035, p=0.007) and LV concentric remodelling (OR=2.429, p=0.031). During a mean follow up of 38 months (IQ range 18–60 months), 12 patients with asymptomatic severe AS had a cardiovascular (CV) death. The presence of a subendocardial LS &lt;22% at baseline was associated with a higher rate of CV events at 3 and 5-year follow-up (19% vs 5% at 3-year follow-up, and 22% vs 8% at 5-year follow-up, respectively; log-rank p=0.044). Conclusion In patients with severe AS, LS impairment involves all myocardial layers and is more prominent in the advanced phases of the disease. In this setting, the subendocardial LS appears to be independently associated to symptoms than subepicardial LS. In asymptomatic patients, a reduced value of subendocardial LS is associated with higher CV mortality at 3- and 5-year follow-up.

Left Atrial Strain to Identify Diastolic Dysfunction in Children with Cardiomyopathies

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) carries worse prognosis in childhood. 2-dimensional (2-D) left atrial (LA) strain accurately categorizes DD in adults but its role in children is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether LA strain and strain rate could diagnose and classify DD in children with dilated (CMD), hypertrophic (HCM) and restrictive (RCM) cardiomyopathies (CM). Methods and Results: The study includes 136 children (aged 8.8 ± 6 years): 44 with DCM, 40 with HCM, 7 with RCM and 45 healthy controls (CTRL). They underwent standard echocardiographic examination and 2-D speckle-tracking analyses (LV longitudinal peak systolic strain (LS), LA peak systolic strain and strain rate). No significant differences in mitral E/A and pulmonary S/D ratios were observed among the four groups. Although E/E’ and indexed left atrial volumes were found to be significantly higher in HCM, DCM and RCM compared to CTRL (p < 0.001), they showed no significant difference among the three CM groups. LV LS values were significantly reduced in CM vs CTRL (p < 0.001) and in DCM vs HCM (p < 0.01), with no other differences between the remaining groups. LA peak systolic strain and strain rate values showed a steady and significant decrease with worsening of DD. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves showed area under the curve of 0.976 (p < 0.001) for LA strain and 0.946 (p < 0.001) for LA strain rate, to distinguish CTRL from CMs. Conclusions: LA strain and strain rate could be a promising tool to better understand and classify DD in children with cardiomyopathies, opening the way to its clinical use.

132-OR: Effects of Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 Inhibitor, on Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis Evaluated by Transient Elastography in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective: To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on liver steatosis and fibrosis evaluated in patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Research Design and Methods: In a randomized, active-controlled, open-label trial, 57 patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD were randomized to a dapagliflozin (5 mg/day) group (n=33) or to the control group (n=24) and were treated for 24 weeks. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were assessed by using a transient elastography (FibroScan) to measure the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), respectively. Results: At baseline, LSM was positively correlated with several markers and scoring systems for liver fibrosis in a total of 57 patients with T2D and NAFLD. In week 24, CAP showed a significant decrease from 314±61 to 290±73 dB/m (P=0.0424) in the dapagliflozin group, while there was no significant change in the control group. In addition, LSM tended to decrease from 9.49±6.05 kPa to 8.01±5.78 kPa in the dapagliflozin group. In 14 patients from this group with LS values ≥8.0 kPa, indicating significant liver fibrosis, LSM decreased significantly from 14.7±5.7 to 11.0±7.3 kPa (P=0.0158). Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase levels decreased in the dapagliflozin group, but not in the control group, and visceral fat mass was significantly reduced in the dapagliflozin group. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin improves liver steatosis in parallel with a decrease of liver enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD, and attenuates liver fibrosis in only patients with significant liver fibrosis. (UMIN000022155) Disclosure Y. Aso: Research Support; Self; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. T. Jojima: None. T. Iijima: None. I. Usui: None.

Assessment of corrosion and scaling potential of the groundwater in the Thanjavur district using hydrogeochemical analysis and spatial modeling techniques

In this study, corrosiveness and scaling potential of groundwater in the Thanjavur district are evaluated based on the chemical analyses of 34 groundwater samples and GIS-based geostatistical mapping techniques. Total dissolved solid values show that six out of 34 samples exceeded the WHO drinking water standard 1000 mg/L. Piper plot shows that majority of the samples are mixed Ca–Mg–Cl type, Ca–HCO3 type and Na–Cl. The results of the physicochemical parameters were used to calculate the most popular corrosion and scaling indices such as Langelier index (LI), aggressive index (AI), Ryznar index (RI), Puckorius index (PI) and Larson–Skold index (LS). Results of LI show that 41% samples have corroding tendency (LI 0). AI has the same result as 41% of the water is moderately corrosive and the remaining has scaling tendency. RI suggests that 88% of the samples have corrosive tendency and 12% have rigorous corrosive tendency. Values of the PI suggest that all the samples were corrosive. Finally, the LS values show that 62% of the samples have scaling tendency and the remaining have corrosion tendency. In general, groundwater in the Thanjavur district shows both corrosive and scaling tendencies, which can cause severe damage to the machineries in the industries. Spatial variation of the corrosive and scaling indices suggests that the central region of the district has more corrosive tendencies and the western and eastern regions have more scaling tendencies.

Epicardial fat, left ventricular strain, and T1-relaxation times in obese individuals with a normal ejection fraction.

PurposeThe purpose of this CMR study was to evaluate epicardial fat volume (EFV), T1-relaxation times (T1), and left ventricular (LV) strain in non-obese (<30 kg/m2) and obese (>30 kg/m2) individuals with no other cardiovascular risk factor and with a normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF) to detect early changes of obesity cardiomyopathy. Material and MethodsSeventy-five individuals (38 men) without additional cardiovascular risk factors were examined at 1.5 T. EFV was assessed by a 3D-Dixon sequence. A 3(3)3(3)5 MOLLI scheme was used to assess T1 (ms). Myocardial strain (%) was evaluated by longitudinal (LS) and circumferential strain (CS) analysis. ResultsObese individuals (n = 34; age = 55.6 ± 13.8 years; BMI = 33.4 ± 2.9 kg/m2) had higher EFVs (70.2 ± 27.9 vs. 56.1 ± 25.2 mL/m2; P < 0.05) and T1 values (991.0 ± 38.6 vs. 974.6 ± 32.0; P = 0.061) as well as worse LS and CS values (LS = −21.0 ± 4.8 vs. −23.2 ± 3.7; CS = −23.8 ± 5.7 vs. −27.7 ± 4.2; P < 0.05, for all) compared to non-obese individuals (n = 41; age = 57.2 ± 15.5 years; BMI = 25.1 ± 2.3 kg/m2). Individuals with severe obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2) had a significantly higher T1 compared to non-obese (1010.5 ± 39.9 vs. 974.6 ± 32.0 ms; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences regarding age or gender. ConclusionObesity is associated with an increased EFV and a disturbed LV contractility despite a normal LVEF. Myocardial fibrosis as well as metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms of increased epicardial fat may play role. Multi-parametric CMR may be a valuable tool for the detection of such early signs of an obesity cardiomyopathy.

Analysis of Employee’s Longevity and Academic Development in Forensic Science Laboratory

This paper presents the detailed analysis of academic development index and longevity among forensic science laboratory (FSL) employees as the key factors for improving organizational performance based on human capital development. The data were collected from human resource database involving 171 (88%) employees out of 195. New mathematical formulations were developed for academic development index Ad, a measure of the time delay in academic development while working within FSL, simple longevity (Ls) and complex longevity (Lc), based on years served and academic certificates attained. The values of Ad, Ls and Lc were compared for different units and departments including zonal laboratories between Y2014 and Y2016. Both total and average values of Ls, Lc and Ad indicated an imbalance in the distribution of staff in different laboratories, necessitating re-allocation to improve performance. The employment trend analysis shows that the work force has been diversified from Y2004 to Y2016 leading to improved management of finance, procurement and human resource in the FSL. As a result of a training program, the percent of staff with MSc has been increasing from about 3.5% in Y2004 to 9% in Y2015. The average values of longevity and academic development index were observed to be the better parameters for comparing laboratories or units than the total values. Results show a balanced staff distribution based on Lc and Ad is inevitable for improved performance. It was concluded that the new indices (Ad and Lc) are important tools for describing the development of the workforce and competitiveness of the FSL.

Effects of DEM resolutions on LS and hillslope erosion estimation in a burnt landscape

The combined slope length and slope steepness factor (LS) is crucial in soil erosion models such as the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), and is often calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs). With high-resolution DEMs becoming increasingly available in recent years, we face considerable challenges in selecting the optimal DEM for erosion modelling. In this paper, we present a case study on LS factor computation using various DEMs at resolutions ranging from 1 to 90 m over a burnt national park in New South Wales, Australia, aiming to assess the effects of DEM resolution on LS and hillslope erosion estimation. The LS was calculated based on RUSLE specifications and incorporated a variable cutoff slope angle that improves the detection of the beginning and the end of each slope length. Results show the trend of an increase in the estimated LS value as the DEM resolution became coarser. We consider 5–10-m DEMs to have optimal resolution because the LS values calculated at this range were closer to the LS values measured at the 12 soil plots over the study area. We also assessed different sampling methods for LS value extraction and statistical analysis. The sampling method based on contributing area was more representative compared with point-based and buffer sampling methods. Findings from this study will be useful for choosing the optimal DEM resolution and sampling method in hillslope erosion modelling.

Relationship between the Position of the Incisors and the Thickness of the Soft Tissues in the Upper Jaw: Cephalometric Evaluation.

ABSTRACTAimThe aim of this study is to verify if the thickness of soft tissues and inclination of the incisors have some relation with profile, to analyze its relevance considering these two parameters separately and to screen how the combination of different inclinations and different thickness can generate different facial patterns.Materials and methodsThe study was performed on 47 Caucasian patients aged between 6 years and 16 years of divided into 24 males and 23 females. None of the patients presented craniofacial changes of syndromic nature. All patients presented a value of SNA in between 80° and 84°. The inclination of the upper incisor related to the bispinal plane was between 104° and 116°. Each radiograph has been digitized or analyzed directly in digital format. To analyze the relationships between soft tissues and position of the incisors using various cephalometric measures and statistical methodology were used.ResultsAnalysing the general correlation between all the cephalometric parameters considered, the results found show that the thickness of the tissues had an effect in modifying the aesthetic profile with respect to the position of the incisors. The cephalometric parameters related to the esthetic profile of the maxilla are all linked by strong correlations, especially correlation between SU, ULA and LS were very high. The differences between the means were statistically significant for different groups. Using the values of Mx1 and thickness of the lip as independent variables, while the LS, SU, ULA and NLA values as dependent variables all results are significant with respect to the prediction p < 0.05.ConclusionThickness of the soft tissues showed a significant influence on the profile with respect to the position of the incisors.Clinical significanceData obtained highlighted that thickness of the soft tissues must be taken into account before starting an orthodontic treatment in order to obtain best aesthetic results.How to cite this articleMaddalone M, Losi F, Rota E, et al. Relationship between the Position of the Incisors and the Thickness of the Soft Tissues in the Upper Jaw: Cephalometric Evaluation. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(5):391–397.

Performance of a THED system for ruling in/ruling out Liver Cirrhosis as compared with Transient Elastography

Introduction While most ultrasound elastography methods employ transient stimulation methods, the new time harmonic elastography (THED) relies on time-harmonic vibrations in the same manner as magnetic resonance elastography. The aim of our study was to assess the performance of the THED system for ruling in/out liver cirrhosis (LC) considering transient elastography (TE) as the reference method, as well as and the correlation of THED values with TE. Material & Method We evaluated by THED a group of 70 patients. Each subject has been fasting for more than 6 hours before evaluation. 10 valid LS measurements were performed in the same day, both by THED and by TE. We used the TE cut-off values published by Tsochatzis (1): significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2)- 7.0kPa and for LC (F = 4)- 12kPa as reference values. Quality criteria recommended by the manufacturer: SR ≥ 60%, IQR Results From the 70 patients, 34 were women and 36 men. Mean age 55.2 ± 11.7, mean BMI 27.8 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Of the 70 patients, 15.8% (11/70) were F4, 25.7% (18/70) were F2-3, 58.5 % (41/70) were F0-1.We had 100% feasibility for all the patients that were previously evaluated by TE. The cut-off for ruling out LC by THED measurements on our study group was 2 m/s (11.9 kPa). AUROC = 0.83, 95%CI (0.73-0.91), P Conclusions In our study, the cut-of values to rule-out and rule-in LC by LS measurements with THED system were 11.9 kPa, respectively. There was a strong correlation between the LS values obtained by the two elastographic methods.