Margin Density Research Articles

Diagnostic Performance of US and MRI in Predicting Malignancy of Soft Tissue Masses: Using a Scoring System.

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic performance of US and MRI in predicting malignancy of soft tissue masses by using a scoring system.MethodsA total of 120 cases of pathologically confirmed soft tissue masses (71 cases of malignant lesions and 49 cases of benign lesions) were enrolled. All patients underwent ultrasound and MRI examination prior to biopsy or surgical excision. A scoring system based on the parameters of conventional US and MRI to distinguish malignant and benign masses was established by the regression model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of US and MRI.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that margin, maximum diameter, and vascular density were independent predictors for malignancy found by US, while maximum diameter, margin, and affected peripheral soft tissue were independent predictors for malignancy found by MRI. The mean scores of the benign and malignant groups were 2.8 ± 1.6, 5.1 ± 1.1 on US and 1.3 ± 1.2, 3.5 ± 0.9 on MRI. Based on the cut-off score of 3.5 and 2.5 calculated by ROC analysis, US and MRI had 92% and 87% sensitivity, 72% and 76% specificity, 86% and 89% accuracy, respectively. The combination of these two modalities achieved the sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 82%, and accuracy of 93%.ConclusionsBoth US and MRI can provide valuable information about the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant soft tissue masses. The combination of the two imaging-based scoring systems can increase the diagnostic performance, especially in specificity.

Greater hydraulic safety contributes to higher growth resilience to drought across seven pine species in a semi-arid environment.

Quantifying inter-specific variations of tree resilience to drought and revealing the underlying mechanisms are of great importance to the understanding of forest functionality, particularly in water-limited regions. So far, comprehensive studies incorporating investigations in inter-specific variations of long-term growth patterns of trees and the underlying physiological mechanisms are very limited. Here, in a semi-arid site of northern China, tree radial growth rate, inter-annual tree-ring growth responses to climate variability, as well as physiological characteristics pertinent to xylem hydraulics, carbon assimilation and drought tolerance were analyzed in seven pine species growing in a common environment. Considerable inter-specific variations in radial growth rate, growth response to drought and physiological characteristics were observed among the studied species. Differently, the studied species exhibited similar degrees of resistance to drought-induced branch xylem embolism, with water potential corresponding to 50% loss hydraulic conductivity ranging from -2.31 to -2.96MPa. We found that higher branch hydraulic efficiency is related to greater leaf photosynthetic capacity, smaller hydraulic safety margin and lower woody density (P<0.05, linear regressions), but not related to higher tree radial growth rate (P>0.05). Rather, species with higher hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic capacity were more sensitive to drought stress and tended to show weaker growth resistance to extreme drought events as quantified by tree-ring analyses, which is at least partially due to a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety across species. This study thus demonstrates the importance of drought resilience rather than instantaneous water and carbon flux capacity in determining tree growth in water-limited environments.

Internal Fixation of Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus Involving a Large Bone Fragment

Background: Internal fixation of an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) can restore the congruency of the talus and maintain the subchondral bone and innate hyaline cartilage. However, OLT that is indicated for fixation is rarely encountered; hence, not many studies report on the results after the procedure. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after internal fixation of chronic OLT involving a large bone fragment of at least 10 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth on computed tomography (CT). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 26 patients with OLT treated with internal fixation between August 2014 and April 2018. Of the patients, 15 were male and 11 were female, with a mean age of 16 years (range, 11-29 years). The primary radiological outcome measurement was bone union assessed on the 6-month postoperative CT scan. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a mean of 27.7 months postoperatively. Results: Twenty patients (77%) achieved bone union on postoperative CT scan. The mean 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) improved from 30.5 ± 8.5 preoperatively to 13.4 ± 9.7 postoperatively (P < .001). The mean Foot Function Index (FFI) improved from 30.5 ± 6.7 preoperatively to 13.7 ± 9.8 postoperatively (P < .001). A malleolar osteotomy was not necessary to approach the lesion in 88% of patients. A bone fragment with an irregular margin and low density on the preoperative CT scan was significantly associated with nonunion (odds ratio: 7.67, 95% confidence interval: 2.67 to 22.02, P = .008). The difference in clinical outcomes between patients with skeletally immature ankles and those with skeletally mature ankles was not statistically significant. Patient age did not correlate with postoperative 100-mm VAS (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = −0.07, P = 0.72) or the postoperative FFI (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = –0.05, P = .80). Conclusion: Internal fixation of an OLT involving a large bone fragment resulted in satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes. We found that patients with skeletally immature and mature ankles attained healing at comparable rates after the internal fixation of OLT.

Nomogram Based on Ultrasonography and Clinical Features for Predicting Malignancy in Soft Tissue Tumors.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to establish a predictive nomogram based on ultrasound (US) and clinical features for patients with soft tissue tumors (STTs).Patients and MethodsA total of 260 patients with STTs were enrolled in this retrospective study and were divided into a training cohort (n=200, including 110 malignant and 90 benign masses) and a validation cohort (n=60, including 30 malignant and 30 benign masses). Multivariate analysis was performed by binary logistic regression analysis to determine the significant factors predictive of malignancy. A simple nomogram was established based on these independent risk factors including US and clinical features. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were measured by the calibration curve and the concordance index (C-index).ResultsThe nomogram, comprising US features (maximum diameter, margin and vascular density) and clinical features (sex, age, and duration of disease), showed a favorable performance for predicting malignancy, with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 78.7%. The calibration curve for malignancy probability in the training cohort showed good agreement between the nomogram predictions and actual observations. The C-indexes of the training cohort and validation cohort for predicting malignancy were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85–0.94) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.73–0.94), respectively.ConclusionThe nomogram based on US and clinical features could be a simple, intuitive and reliable tool to individually predict malignancy in patients with STTs.

Implication of CD69+ CD103+ tissue-resident-like CD8+ T cells as a potential immunotherapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma.

The heterogeneous immune landscapes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the implications of tissue-resident memory (TRM)-related features of tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TILs) from ICC patients. From ICC patients, we obtained blood samples and ICC surgical specimens (n=33). We performed multicolour flow cytometry, multiplexed immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing. When compared to peripheral CD8+ T cells, the CD8+ TILs included significantly higher proportions of the CD69+ CD103- and CD69+ CD103+ TRM-like subsets (P<.001 for both). Relative to CD69- and CD69+ CD103- cells, the CD69+ CD103+ CD8+ TILs harboured higher levels of T-cell markers representing tumour specificity (ie CD39), proliferation (ie Ki-67) and T-cell activation (ie HLA-DR and CD38) (all P<.001). Moreover, compared to the stroma, the tumour margin and core density each had a significantly higher density of CD103+ CD8+ TILs (P<.001 for both). ICCs with high proportions of CD69+ CD103+ cells displayed higher levels of parameters associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-including number of CD8+ TIL infiltrates (P=.019), PD-L1 expression in the tumour (P=.046) and expression of the T cell-inflamed gene signature (P<.001). ICCs with lower proportions of CD69+ CD103+ CD8+ TILs exhibited significant enrichment of genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin (P<.001) and TGF-β pathways (P=.002). CD69+ CD103+ TRM-like CD8+ TILs represent prominent tumour-specific immune responses and hold promise as a potential therapeutic target in ICC patients. Differential TRM-related features of ICCs may help develop future immunotherapeutic strategies such as maximizing TRM responses or inhibiting pathways contributing to immune evasion.

Analysis of the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar K\xfcmmell\u2019s disease with or without bone cement leakage

BackgroundBone cement leakage is a major complication in the treatment of percutaneous vertebroplasty for Kümmell’s disease, and the focus of close attention during the surgery. The purpose of this article was to investigate the clinical outcomes of Kümmell’s disease treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty with or without bone cement leakage.MethodsA total of 64 patients with Kümmell’s disease from December 2016 to February 2018 treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty were included in the study. After the treatment, 32 cases were respectively divided into two groups according to X-ray examination of bone cement leakage: leakage group and non-leakage group. Preoperative course, age, sex, bone mineral density, damaged segment, anterior vertebral height, vertebral compression rate, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale and Oswestry dysfunction index were compared between the two groups. After surgery, the amount of bone cement injected, operation time, adjacent vertebral refracture rate, visual analogue scale, Oswestry dysfunction index, the recovery value of vertebral anterior height and the improvement value of Cobb angle were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe course, age and Cobb angle of the leakage group were significantly greater than those of the non-leakage group (P< 0.05, respectively). The height of anterior vertebral margin and bone mineral density in the leakage group were significantly lower than those in the non-leakage group (P< 0.05, respectively). The two groups were followed up for at least 24 months. The amount of bone cement injected was significantly greater in the leakage group than in the non-leakage group (P=0.000). Visual analogue scale and Oswestry dysfunction index of the two groups on the second day after surgery and at the last follow-up were significantly lower than these before surgery (P< 0.05, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. In the leakage group, the recovery value of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra and the improvement value of the Cobb angle on the second day after surgery and at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with the non-leakage group (P< 0.05, respectively).ConclusionPercutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for Kümmell’s disease. The leakage group had longer course, older age, more serious kyphotic deformity, vertebral compression and osteoporosis, and higher amount of bone cement injected than these of the non-leakage group. However, there were not significant differences in the rate of adjacent vertebral refractures, visual analogue scale and Oswestry dysfunction index between the two groups. Therefore, the bone cement leakage does not affect the surgical effect.

On the reliable detection of concept drift from streaming unlabeled data

Classifiers deployed in the real world operate in a dynamic environment, where the data distribution can change over time. These changes, referred to as concept drift, can cause the predictive performance of the classifier to drop over time, thereby making it obsolete. To be of any real use, these classifiers need to detect drifts and be able to adapt to them, over time. Detecting drifts has traditionally been approached as a supervised task, with labeled data constantly being used for validating the learned model. Although effective in detecting drifts, these techniques are impractical, as labeling is a difficult, costly and time consuming activity. On the other hand, unsupervised change detection techniques are unreliable, as they produce a large number of false alarms. The inefficacy of the unsupervised techniques stems from the exclusion of the characteristics of the learned classifier, from the detection process. In this paper, we propose the Margin Density Drift Detection (MD3) algorithm, which tracks the number of samples in the uncertainty region of a classifier, as a metric to detect drift. The MD3 algorithm is a distribution independent, application independent, model independent, unsupervised and incremental algorithm for reliably detecting drifts from data streams. Experimental evaluation on 6 drift induced datasets and 4 additional datasets from the cybersecurity domain demonstrates that the MD3 approach can reliably detect drifts, with significantly fewer false alarms compared to unsupervised feature based drift detectors. At the same time, it produces performance comparable to that of a fully labeled drift detector. The reduced false alarms enables the signaling of drifts only when they are most likely to affect classification performance. As such, the MD3 approach leads to a detection scheme which is credible, label efficient and general in its applicability.

Assessment of the Effect of Neyshabur Green Spatial Configuration on the Temperature of Land Surface and Heat Islands

Urban heat island is a global issue and a consequence of rapid urbanization that leads to higher land surface temperature in urban areas. The range is 0.6°C - 1.3°C compared to rural and suburban areas. LST (Land surface temperature) is an important parameter in determining the heat island. Understanding the relationship between green space configuration and LST is essential to the effective design of the mechanisms, which reduce the effect of urbanization on UHI (urban heat island). This study examines the correlation between LST and spatial configuration of green space in the urban landscape of Neyshabur city, Iran. Satellite images are obtained from Landsat ETM+ satellite sensor with a spatial resolution of 60 meters in August 2010 and used for the estimation of LST. In order to identify the configuration of green space, five configuration metrics LSI (landscape Shape Index), MPFD (Mean Patch Fractal Dimension), ED (Edge Density), MPS (Mean Patch Size) and MSI (Mean Shape Index) are used. In addition, configuration of the green space and temperature is compared by Pearson’s correlation-coefficient. Negative values represent a suppressive/negative effect on each other; the fact that other indicators of spatial configuration are inversely related to temperature means that they weaken the effect of UHI. Results of the study showed that the spatial configuration of the green space notably affects increased LST and UHI. On the other hand, the configuration indicator with the greatest impact on LST was ED, because with increase in margin density further decreases LST.

Computed Tomographic Features of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in a Dog

A 10 months old, male Poongsan dog was referred with a history of right forelimb lameness due to hit by a car a few hours before presentation. On the physical examination, the dog showed pale mucous membrane, respiration distress, and skin abrasions. The main laboratory finding was leukocytosis, while hematocrit was normal. Abdominal radiography revealed the loss of abdominal serosal detail, which was diagnosed as peritoneal hemorrhage on ultrasonography (US) and aspiration. On computed tomography (CT), hepatic and splenic injuries were seen characterized by the discontinuity of the capsule with irregular margin and lower density lesions than parenchyma. No contrast enhancing area were shown in the laceration lesion. The accessory spleen was incidentally found by US and CT. In this case, acute intra-abdominal hemorrhage from splenic and hepatic laceration was diagnosed using CT.

Analysis of effect on CO2 emission reduction and cost estimation for the use of Bio-coke: a case study of Osaka, Japan

Bio-coke (BIC) is drawing attention as a coal-coke substitute in industry. Though BIC can be used as a carbon-neutral fuel, its overall benefits, including the environmental impacts associated with its production processes and its merits as an alternative fuel, remain unknown. In this study, we investigate the overall impacts and benefits related to BIC production processes and alternative fuel applications by looking into the case of Takatsuki in Osaka Prefecture, the only commercial BIC plant in Japan. Based on the system boundary set, we calculated CO2 emissions per ton of BIC associated with its manufacturing and transportation processes to be 1.01 t CO2. CO2 emission from electricity consumed in the process was found to be the largest, accounting for 74.7 % of total emission. The analyses also revealed that using one ton of BIC as alternative fuel in industry instead of coal-coke could result in avoiding 2.16 tons of CO2 emissions, showing a clear environmental benefit. While BIC’s calorific value is almost same as pellet’s, BIC had higher gross margin and energy density than pellet produced in the same facility. These findings enhance the merits of producing BIC from wood biomass and could lead the way to revitalizing forestry in Japan.

Don’t Pay for Validation: Detecting Drifts from Unlabeled data Using Margin Density

Abstract Validating online stream classifiers has traditionally assumed the availability of labeled samples, which can be monitored over time, to detect concept drift. However, labeling in streaming domains is expensive, time consuming and in certain applications, such as land mine detection, not a possibility at all. In this paper, the Margin Density Drift Detection (MD3) approach is proposed, which can signal change using unlabeled samples and requires labeling only for retraining, in the event of a drift. The MD3 approach when evaluated on 5 synthetic and 5 real world drifting data streams, produced statistically equivalent classification accuracy to that of a fully labeled accuracy tracking drift detector, and required only a third of the samples to be labeled, on average.

A giant subpectoral lipoma.

A giant subpectoral lipoma.

The optimal age of sown field margins for breeding farmland birds

The Europe‐wide decline in the populations and diversity of farmland birds has not been stopped despite dedicated conservation efforts such as agri‐environment schemes (AES). The main reason for the lack of success of AES is considered to be their low ecological quality and insufficient area. Understanding the effects of different management strategies on the ecological quality of AES is therefore important. Here, we investigate the relationship between breeding bird density and species richness and the age of sown field margins, a widely used type of AES, in southwestern Switzerland. Territories of breeding birds were mapped on 67 field margins between 2004 and 2011. Territory densities (for eight species) and species richness were analysed in relation to age of the field margin. A general negative correlation between size of the field margin and territory density indicated that territory density was higher when the birds could forage in adjacent cultivated land. Territory densities and species richness increased up to an age of 4–6 years after sowing, depending on the species, and declined thereafter. The results suggest that the co‐occurrence of newly sown margins and margins over 3 years old will have a positive effect on breeding bird densities and species diversity.

Value of Prostate Specific Antigen Density and Percent Free Prostate Specific Antigen for Prostate Cancer Prognosis

Limited data exist on the relationship of percent free prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density with prostate cancer prognosis. Therefore, we compared percent free prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density with prostate specific antigen, Gleason sum and stage to predict prostate cancer prognosis in a large cohort using a single prostate specific antigen and free prostate specific antigen assay. Between 1999 and 2007 a total of 1,656 patients with prostate cancer underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at the Charité Berlin. There were 322 patients excluded from analysis for a variety of reasons. The final 1,334 patients had prostate specific antigen, free prostate specific antigen, prostate volume and complete pathological analysis available. Median followup was 60.3 months (range 0.2 to 135). Median age (63 years, range 43 to 75) did not differ between the 1,092 patients without and the 242 with biochemical recurrence (p = 0.956), but prostate volume, prostate specific antigen and percent free prostate specific antigen differed significantly (p <0.0001). While prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density increased significantly in patients with Gleason less than 7, 7 and greater than 7 tumors, percent free prostate specific antigen decreased significantly (p <0.0001). Prostate specific antigen, percent free prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density differed significantly between pT2 and pT3 tumors, and between patients with vs without positive surgical margins. On univariate analysis Gleason sum, pathological stage, positive surgical margin, total prostate specific antigen, percent free prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density were predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified Gleason sum, pathological stage, positive surgical margin and prostate specific antigen density as independent predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival, while percent free prostate specific antigen and total prostate specific antigen failed to be significant. Few models for prostate cancer prognosis include prostate specific antigen density. There is substantial value in prostate specific antigen density but not in percent free prostate specific antigen for improving prostate cancer prognosis and biochemical recurrence prediction.

Areal and Structural Effects on Oxide-Based Resistive Random Access Memory Cell for Improving Resistive Switching Characteristics

A new technical improvement in understanding the resistive switching characteristics of unipolar resistive random access memory (RRAM) is investigated. It is possible to minimize reset current (IRESET), set voltage variation, and forming voltage (VFORMING), which results in a wide sensing margin and high density applications by using a conducting filament (CF) minimized structure up to a 10 nm technology node. Its structural advantages enable IRESET to be tuned with excellent manufacturability. Numerical simulation is also performed using a random circuit breaker (RCB) model, showing that the proposed structure elucidates the resistive switching improvement.

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: multimodality imaging and histopathologic assessment

Metaplastic carcinomas are ductal carcinomas that display metaplastic transformation of the glandular epithelium to non-glandular mesenchymal tissue. Metaplastic carcinoma has a poorer prognosis than most other breast cancers, so the differential diagnosis is important. Although many clinical and pathologic findings have been reported, to our knowledge, few imaging findings related to metaplastic carcinoma have been reported. To investigate whole-breast imaging findings, including mammography, sonography, MRI, and pathologic findings, including immunohistochemical studies of metaplastic carcinomas of the breast. We analyzed 33 cases of metaplastic carcinoma between January 2001 and January 2011. Mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI were recorded retrospectively using the American College of Radiology (ACR) breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) lexicon. Immunohistochemical studies of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53, and C-erbB-2 were performed. The most common mammographic findings were oval shape (37%), circumscribed margin (59%), and high density (74%). The most common sonographic findings were irregular shape (59.4%), microlobulated margin (41%), complex echogenicity (81%), parallel orientation (97%), and posterior acoustic enhancement (50%). Axillary lymph node metastases were noted for 25% of the sonographic examinations. On MRI, the most common findings of margin and shape were irregularity (57% and 52.4%, respectively). High signal intensity was the most common finding on T2-weighted images (57%). Immunohistochemical profile was negative for ER (91%, 29/32) and PR (81%, 26/32). Metaplastic carcinomas might display more benign features and less axillary lymph node metastasis than IDC. High signal intensity on T2 MRI images and hormone receptor negativity would be helpful in differentiating this tumor from other breast cancers.

Nerve Sheath Tumor of Stomach: Two Cases Report

Nerve sheath tumors of stomach are a group of benign tumors of gastrointestinal tract . Here two cases of this tumor are presented and imaging features are described. A large, irregular well-defined margin mass is demonstrated. Sonography showed heterogeneous hypoechoic lesions. CT features are mainly a large irregular mass with well-defined margin and hetero geneous density, and some calcification can be seen. Contrast-enhanced CT images showed slight inhomogeneous enhancement. On MR images these lesions are demarcated associated with hypointense on T1 weighted imaging and moderate to markedly hyperintense on T2 weighted imaging. Contrast enhanced MRI demonstrated the mass hetero geneous enhancement. doi:10.4021/jmc452w

Retrospective analysis of mammographic findings for Japanese women: A potential predictor for breast malignancies

This purpose of this study was to retrospectively stratify the risks of malignancy according to the mammographic characteristics of Japanese women. We studied the mammographic findings of 1267 Japanese women. We characterized malignant phenotypes according to mass shape, margin and mass density, and by shape and distribution of calcified foci, and to obtain possible predictors for malignancies according to age groups. Lobular and irregular mass shape, no circumscribed margin and higher density turned out to be more powerful predictors for malignancy than other radiological factors (P < 0.001, respectively). The ratio of the cases detected as a mass in those between 21 and 49 years was lower than that of other age groups. In addition, the presence of calcifications and no mammographic abnormalities were the most powerful predictors for malignancies in the young age groups (P < 0.001, respectively). The peak age of breast cancer is between 40 and 49 years in Japan. In the present study, subtle differences were found in the mammographic results for young and old women, in contrast to those of women in the USA and Europe. The results of this study might enable more accurate prediction of biological behavior of the breast lesions in Japanese women.

Kimura's disease: The CT and MRI characteristics in fifteen cases

To summarize the CT and MRI features in a series of fifteen cases of Kimura's disease. The clinical data, CT and MRI findings of 15 patients with histologically proved Kimura's disease were retrospectively reviewed. All imaging data were consensually evaluated by two radiologists to determine the lesion location, number, morphology, margin, signal intensity or CT density, lesion texture, contrast enhancement pattern and involvement of adjacent structures. There were 14 male and 1 female, with peripheral blood eosinophilia in all 14 patients. 13 patients were presented with a painless mass. 13 patients had lesions located in the head and neck related to the major salivary glands. 1 patient had lesion in groin. Subcutaneous fat diffuse atrophy around the tumor site was found in 11 patients. 9 patients had solitary mass and 6 patients had multiple masses. Most masses were ill-defined, but no specific density or signal patterns were found. Most patients exhibited enlarged or obviously enhanced abnormal lymph nodes but without necrosis. The characteristic distribution, morphology with enlarged draining lymphadenopathy, combined with the clinical features and laboratory examination enables a confident preoperative diagnosis of Kimura's disease.

Effect of lower sea level on geostrophic transport through the Florida Straits during the Last Glacial Maximum

We investigate the effect of a 120 m sea level drop on transport through the Caribbean Sea and the Florida Straits during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) relative to the present, using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). A geostrophic transport estimate for the Florida Straits suggests the LGM Florida Current was weaker than today by one third assuming that the velocity at the bottom of the channel was as small as it is today. This is consistent with a decrease in the North Atlantic overturning circulation, but there are other possible reasons for a flow decrease. It is possible that a shallower LGM Florida Straits sill depth could cause the diversion of some flow from the Florida Current. Our model results show that the volume transport through the Florida Straits is slightly reduced in a lower sea level model simulation when compared to a control sea level simulation (34.8 ± 2.0 Sv versus 39.8 ± 2.3 Sv). The difference in transport is of the order of 5 Sv, likely representing a maximum limit to the LGM flow reduction due to sea level change. Therefore, the change in sill depth between the LGM and the present is unlikely to have been a cause of the entire observed flow reduction. We also use the model output to demonstrate that transport through the Florida Straits can be accurately calculated from ocean margin density data at the core locations in the work of Lund et al. (2006) and Lynch‐Stieglitz et al. (2009), provided that a sufficiently deep reference level is chosen.