Maximum Cross-sectional Area Research Articles

Time to reconsider the perception and management of hypertensive heart disease.

Time to reconsider the perception and management of hypertensive heart disease.

Effect of moisture conservation techniques on almond (Prunus dulcis) productivity under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of moisture conservation techniques on productivity enhancement in almond (Prunus dulcis Mill) during 2010-11 to 2012-13 at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Treatment sincluded five water harvesting techniques, viz. half-moon (W1), full-moon (W2), cup and plate (W3), trench (W4) and control (W5) and three mulch materials, viz. plastic mulch (M1), organic mulch (M2) and control (M3) were laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replication. The experimental results revealed that maximum mean trunk cross sectional area (266.82 cm2), nut yield (5.37 kg/tree), productivity efficiency (19.47 g/cm2 TCSA) and soil moisture content (13.48%) were recorded in full moon water harvesting technique. Among mulch material, plastic mulch found better in respect to TCSA (255.59 cm2), nut yield (4.99 kg/tree), productivity efficiency (18.88 g/cm2 TCSA) and soil moisture content (12.86%) compared to other treatments. The combined effect of water harvesting and mulching indicated that maximum TCSA (270.48 cm2), nut yield (5.82 kg/tree), productivity efficiency (20.92 g/cm2 TCSA) and soil moisture (13.98 %) were recorded in full moon water harvesting + plastic mulch in almond cultivar Non Pareil under rainfed conditions of north west Himalayan regions of India.

Computed tomography scan to diagnose abducens nerve palsy cases with superior-compartment atrophy

To use orbital computed tomography (CT) to explore the proportion of superior-compartment lateral rectus muscle atrophy in abducens nerve palsy and its relationship with clinical findings. Twenty-two patients with isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy were enrolled. Orbital CT scans of all patients were acquired. All measurements were performed in two ways for normal and paretic lateral rectus muscles: posterior volume (mm3) and maximal cross-section area (mm2). These variables were also measured separately in the superior and inferior 40% of the muscle. Primary position esotropia and amount of abduction limitation was also recorded. The mean deviation was 23.4Δ ± 12.1Δ (range, 0Δ-50Δ); the mean limitation of abduction, -2.7 ± 1.3 (range, -1 to -5). Seven cases (31.8%) showed the gross morphologic characteristics of superior-compartment atrophy. In these 7 cases, the mean percentage of atrophy in posterior volume and in maximal cross-section was significantly greater in the superior compartment than the inferior compartment (P = 0.02 for both). The mean limitation of abduction in these 7 cases (-1.7 ± 0.9; range, -1 to -3) was significantly lower than in other cases (-3.1 ± 1.3, range, -1 to -5 [P = 0.02]). In our study cohort, a subgroup of abducens nerve palsy cases demonstrated evidence of superior portion lateral rectus atrophy on orbital CT. The superior-compartment-atrophy group had both a smaller primary gaze esotropia and a smaller abduction deficit, providing evidence that compartmental atrophy should be considered in patients with partially retained lateral rectus function.

Approaches to standardising the magnetic resonance image analysis of equine tendon lesions.

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained increasing importance to monitor equine tendon lesions. Comparing results between studies and cases is hampered, because image analysis approaches vary strongly. This study aimed to improve reliability, comparability and time efficiency of quantitative MRI image analysis. Induced tendon lesions were studied over a 24-week period with 10 follow-up MRI examinations. Signal intensities (SIs) of tendons, tendon lesions, cortical bone and background, as well as lesion cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured. Lesion SI standardisation with different formulas was evaluated, using histological findings as reference. Different types of region of interest (ROI) for lesion SI measurement were compared. Lesion CSA measurement at different levels was evaluated, using the calculated total lesion volume as reference. Subjective lesion identification and manual CSA and SI measurements were compared to an automated, algorithm-based approach. Lesion SI standardised using a quotient of lesion and background or cortical bone SI, correlated best with histologically determined lesion severity. Lesion SI in circular ROIs correlated strongly with lesion SI in free-hand whole-lesion ROIs. The level of the maximum lesion CSA shifted over time; the CSA maximum correlated strongly with lesion volume. In sequences with short acquisition time, algorithm-based automated lesion detection showed almost perfect agreement with subjective lesion identification. Automated measurement of CSA and SI was also feasible, with stronger correlation and better agreement with the manually obtained data for the SI than for the CSA. Our study may provide guidance for MRI image analysis of tendon healing. Reliable image analysis can be performed time-efficiently, particularly regarding lesion SI quantification.

Recovery of neurosurgical high-frequency electroporation injury in the canine brain can be accelerated by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone

BackgroundAlthough traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in a very short time, the biological consequence of a TBI, such as Alzheimer’s disease, may last a lifetime. To date, effective interventions are not available to improve recovery from a TBI. Herein we aimed to ascertain whether recovery of neurosurgical high-frequency irreversible electroporation (HFIRE) injury in brain tissues can be accelerated by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF). MethodsThe HFIRE injury was induced in the right parietal cortex of 8 adult healthy and neurologically intact male dogs. Two weeks before HFIRE injury, each dog was administered orally with or without 7,8-DHF (30 mg/kg) once daily for consecutive 2 weeks (n = 4 for each group). The values of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, brain edema, and cerebral infarction volumes were measured. The concentrations of beta-amyloid, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured biochemically. ResultsThe BBB disruption, brain edema, infarction volumes, and maximal cross-section area caused by HFIRE injury in canine brain were significantly attenuated by 7,8-DHF therapy (P < 0.0001). Additionally, 7,8-DHF significantly reduced the HFIRE-induced cerebral overproduction of beta-amyloid and proinflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (P < 0.0001) in dogs with HFIRE. ConclusionsRecovery of neurosurgical HFIRE injury in canine brain tissues can be accelerated by 7,8-DHT via ameliorating BBB disruption as well as cerebral overproduction of both beta-amyloid and proinflammatory cytokines.

Correlation between the Signal Intensity Alteration of Infrapatellar Fat Pad and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study

Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) inflammation is a common pathological manifestation in knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the significance of IPFP signal intensity alteration for clinical diagnosis and treatment of knee OA needs further research. We assessed IPFP signal intensity alteration (0-3), IPFP maximum cross-sectional area (CSA) and IPFP depth, meniscus injury, bone marrow edema, and cartilage injury from magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) in 41 non-KOA patients (K-L grade 0 and grade I) and 68 KOA patients (K-L grade 2,3 and 4). We found that IPFP signaling was altered in all patients with KOA whose alteration was closely related to the K-L grading. We found that the IPFP signal intensity was increased in most OA patients, especially the ones in the late stage. There were significant differences in IPFP maximum CSA and IPFP depth between groups in KOA and non-KOA patients. Moreover, Spearman correlation analysis showed that IPFP signal intensity was moderately positively correlated with age, meniscal injury, cartilage injury, and bone marrow edema, and negatively correlated with height, while not correlated with visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring and body mass index (BMI). In addition, women have higher IPFP inflammation scores on MRI than men. In conclusion, IPFP signal intensity alteration is associated with joint damage in knee OA, which may have clinical significance for diagnosing and treating KOA.

Analysis of CT imaging changes of psoas major muscles in patients with lumbar disc herniation mainly based on low back pain and lower limb pain.

The study aimed to compare the area changes of CT (computed tomograghy) imaging of psoas major muscle (PM) in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) mainly based on low back pain (LBP) and lower limb pain (LLP), and to analyze the correlation among them. We retrospectively analyzed the lumbar CT imaging data of 120 patients with LDH and 60 healthy control people in our hospital from July 2017 to August 2019. They were divided into LBP group (60 cases), LLP group (60 cases) and healthy controls group (60 cases). According to the pain duration and pain degree, LBP group and LLP group were divided into three subgroups respectively. The maximum cross-sectional area (CSA) of PM and the CSA of L5 vertebral body were calculated by Image J software, and the ratio of them was the maximum CSA index of PM. The maximum CSA indices of PM among three groups and three subgroups were compared, respectively. The baseline data among the three groups weren't significantly different (P > 0.05), yet the maximum CSA index of PM did (P < 0.05). In the LBP group, the maximum CSA indices of PM among the three subgroups (short, medium and long) according to the pain duration were significantly different (P < 0.05), and those among the three subgroups (light, medium and heavy) according to pain degree did (P < 0.05). In the LLP group, the maximum CSA indices of PM among the three subgroups (short, medium and long) were compared, but there was not statistical difference among the three subgroups (P > 0.05). No statistical difference in terms of the maximum CSA indices of PM among the three subgroups (light, medium and heavy) was observed (P > 0.05). The atrophy and thinning of PM may be related to LDH. The correlation between the atrophy of PM and LBP was greater than that of LLP. The atrophy of PM in LDH patients with LBP increased with the prolongation of pain duration and aggravation of pain degree.

Pharyngeal airway dimensions in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography

To assess the oropharyngeal airway in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated 105 CBCT scans of female patients between 18 and 35 years retrieved from the archives of a radiology clinic. The images were evaluated in axial, sagittal, and frontal sections. In the axial plane, the maximum and minimum cross-sectional area (CSA) of the airways at the oropharynx, minimum width (anteroposteriorly), and minimum depth (laterally) were measured using Mimics Medical software. The oropharyngeal volume was measured by NemoFAB software. The values were compared among the groups with different sagittal, vertical, and transverse patterns. The correlation of indices with airway measurements was analyzed using Monte Carlo Chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient.No significant difference was noted in oropharyngeal airway dimensions and volume among cases with different skeletal sagittal, vertical, and transverse patterns (P > 0.05) except for class III patients with normal transverse pattern in whom maximum CSA in low-angle group was larger than that in normal-angle group (P < 0.05) and class I normal-angle patients in whom maximum CSA in transverse normal group was smaller than that in constriction group (P < 0.05).Oropharyngeal dimensions were not significantly different in Iranian female young adults with different skeletal patterns.

Computed tomographic characteristics of normal salivary glands in dogs.

Various salivary gland diseases diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) in dogs have been reported. However, no study described the size and CT attenuation value of normal salivary glands in dogs. This retrospective analytical study aimed to evaluate the size and attenuation value of the mandibular and zygomatic salivary glands on CT in dogs without cervical or head lesions. The maximum cross-sectional area (MCSA) was measured in 96 dogs and attenuation value on non-contrast and postcontrast images were measured in 90 dogs. Dogs were divided into three groups based on body weight: group 1, ≤ 5.0 kg; group 2, 5.1-10.0 kg; and group 3, 10.1-15.0 kg. There were significant differences in MCSA for both glands among the three groups. There was no difference in MCSA between the left and right sides in both salivary glands. The MCSA for both salivary glands positively correlated with body weight (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the MCSA of the zygomatic gland between males and females (p = 0.02), but there was no significant difference in the mandibular gland. There was a significant difference in the attenuation value between the mandibular and zygomatic glands in non-contrast studies (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in postcontrast studies. This study established the reference for the size and attenuation value of the mandibular and zygomatic glands in dogs and provided background data for future CT evaluation of dogs with salivary gland diseases.

Relationship between Clinical Severity and Cross-sectional Area of Ultrasonographic Examinations in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow.

This study explored the relationship between clinical severity of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) and ulnar nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasound examination to identify appropriate measurement sites for UNE diagnosis and evaluation. In this retrospective analysis, we examined the arms of 37 patients diagnosed with UNE and those of 34 individuals as controls. The ulnar nerve CSAs were measured at 2 cm distal to the tip of the medial epicondyle (dME), the tip of the medial epicondyle (ME), 2 cm proximal to the tip of the medial epicondyle (pME), and any site showing the maximum CSA between the dME and pME (largest dpME). The modified McGowan classification (grades I, IIA, IIB, and III) was used to rate the clinical severity of UNE. For all sites, the CSAs were significantly correlated with clinical severity. The sites showing the maximum CSA were inconsistent between controls and grade IIA patients. Grade IIB patients showed the largest CSA at the ME in the majority of patients. In grade III patients, maximum CSA occurred only at the ME. Serial assessment to detect nerve enlargement at multiple sites was beneficial for mild UNE patients with weakness of the ulnar distal muscles with Medical Research Council (MRC) score of 4 or higher (grade IIA). For severe UNE patients with weakness of the ulnar distal muscles classified as MRC3 or less (grades IIB, III), the most efficient method for detecting enlarged nerves was to initially measure the CSA at the ME.

Continuous Scanning and Inching in Ultrasonographic Localisation of Ulnar Neuropathy: A Comparative Study of Sensitivity.

Background: This study compares the sensitivity of continuous ultrasonographic scanning and ultrasonographic inching in the localisation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow to diagnose the two common entrapment sites: retroepicondylar groove and cubital tunnel. Methods: The charts of 30 patients who were diagnosed with ulnar neuropathy of the elbow and underwent ultrasonographic examinations using the inching and the continuous technique between April 2015 and September 2019 were reviewed. Sensitivities of ultrasonographic inching and continuous scanning were compared. Results: A total of 34 elbows from 30 patients were examined. The sensitivities of continuous ultrasonographic scanning method and ultrasonographic inching were 85% and 71%, respectively, but this was not significant (p = 0.06). The maximum cross-sectional areas (CSAs) in continuous scanning were mainly found within the area from the medial epicondyle to the 2-cm distal point in the cubital tunnel entrapment, while a majority of the largest CSAs in ultrasonographic inching was observed at the medial epicondyle level in both entrapment sites. The mean of the maximum CSAs in continuous scanning (17.04 ± 6.75 mm2) was higher than that in ultrasonographic inching (14.13 ± 6.63 mm2), although this difference remained non-significant (p = 0.08). However, continuous scanning differed more significantly (p < 0.0001) from the cut-off value than the ultrasonographic inching (p < 0.0066). Conclusions: Continuous scanning might be more suitable than ultrasonographic inching to localise ulnar neuropathy, which inherently has variations in the cubital tunnel anatomy and its entrapment points, when selecting optimal treatment based on the entrapment site. Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic).

Association of Lipoprotein (a) With Coronary-Computed Tomography Angiography-Assessed High-Risk Coronary Disease Attributes and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the relationship between Lp(a) and high-risk attributes by coronary computed tomography angiography as well as their prognostic value. Lp(a) and coronary computed tomography angiography from 377 consecutive patients at Zhongshan Hospital (Shanghai, China) were evaluated. High-risk attributes were defined as high-risk morphological attributes (low attenuation plaque, positive remodeling, napkin-ring sign, spotty calcification, minimum lumen area <4 mm2, or plaque burden [ratio between cross-sectional plaque area at the site of maximum stenosis and cross-sectional vessel area] ≥70%); inflammatory attribute represented by fat attenuation index; high-risk physiological attributes [lesion-specific ischemia defined by fractional flow reserve by coronary computed tomography angiography ≤0.8, physiologic diffuseness defined by fractional flow reserve by coronary computed tomography angiography pullback pressure gradient]. Total plaque volume in mm3 was also quantified. Quintiles or binary classification of Lp(a) levels were used to evaluate its relationships with plaque features and clinical outcomes with ANOVA, Cox models, and log-rank tests, as appropriate. The major adverse cardiovascular event included cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Lp(a) was significantly associated with total plaque volume (P=0.004), fat attenuation index (P=0.031), and fractional flow reserve by coronary computed tomography angiography pullback pressure gradient (P=0.038). Patients with a high Lp(a) level had a higher total plaque volume (393.3 mm3 versus 293.9 mm3, P<0.001), lower pullback pressure gradient (0.62 versus 0.69, P=0.023), higher fat attenuation index (-70.5HU versus -73.9HU, P=0.004), and higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (14.5% versus 6.3%, adjusted hazard ratio: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.12-5.63, P=0.025). In a 4-group classification according to Lp(a) and high-risk attributes, patients with high Lp(a) and ≥3 high-risk attributes had the highest risk of major adverse cardiovascular event (25.9%; overall P<0.001). Causal mediation analysis revealed that around 40% of the prognostic effect of Lp(a) was mediated by high-risk attributes. Lp(a) level is associated with coronary computed tomography angiography high-risk characteristics, including morphologic, physiologic, and inflammatory attributes as well as major adverse cardiovascular event. This effect is partly mediated by inflammation and vulnerable plaque. URL: https://www. gov; Unique identifier: NCT05323227.

Clinical Application of the Computed-Tomography-Based Three-Dimensional Models in the Surgical Planning and Intraoperative Navigation of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Complicated with Renal Calculi.

Background and Objectives: To clinically validate the computed tomography (CT)-based three-dimension (3D) model for treatment planning and intraoperative navigation of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) complicated with renal calculi. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of 26 patients with UPJO and renal calculi who were surgically treated in our institution from January 2019 to December 2021. Before surgery, 3D models based on preoperative CT scans were constructed in all patients. Additionally, the patients were divided into three groups according to the results of 3D models, distinguished by different treatment of renal calculi, that is, left untreated (1), pyelolithotomy (2), and endoscopic lithotomy (3). The quantitative analysis of renal calculi parameters, and perioperative and follow-up data were compared. Results: The mean number of involved renal calyces (p = 0.041), and the mean maximum cross-sectional area (p = 0.036) of renal stones were statistically different among the three groups. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the mean operative time, mean estimated blood loss, mean pararenal draining time, and mean hospital stay. The intraoperative stone clearance rates were 100% (11/11) and 77.8% (7/9) in group 2 and group 3, respectively. The trends of increased estimated glomerular filtration rate and decreased creatinine on the average levels after surgery were observed, although these changes were not statistically significant. At a mean follow-up of 19.4 ± 6.4 months, the overall surgical success rate of the UPJO was 96.2% (25/26), and the overall success rate of renal calculi removal was 80.8% (21/26). Renal stones in 66.7% (4/6) of patients in group 1 spontaneously passed out. Conclusions: Preoperative 3D CT models have exact clinical value in the surgical planning and intraoperative navigation of UPJO patients complicated with renal calculi.

CT features of malignant tubular genital tract tumors in seven goats.

Neoplasia of the tubular genital tract in goats, while rarely described, is most commonly reported as uterine adenocarcinoma, leiomyoma, or leiomyosarcoma. In this retrospective, single-center, case series, medical records were searched for goats with a computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of tubular genital mass and a definitive histologic (surgical biopsy or necropsy) diagnosis of malignant neoplasia. Data recorded from CT images were presence of peritoneal/retroperitoneal fluid, urinary tract obstruction, abdominal lymphadenomegaly, additional abdominal nodules/masses, and pulmonary nodules. For masses, maximum cross-sectional area, contrast enhancement, and uterine luminal fluid accumulation were also recorded. Seven goats met the inclusion criteria (leiomyosarcoma n = 5, adenocarcinoma n = 2). Both goats with adenocarcinoma had upper urinary tract obstruction, moderate to severe regional lymphadenopathy, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal or hepatic nodules/masses; one goat with adenocarcinoma was discharged and subsequently euthanized, and the other had palliative mass debulking and was lost to follow up. Goats with leiomyosarcoma had infrequent, mild peritoneal fluid and mild sublumbar lymphadenopathy. Of the goats with leiomyosarcoma, two were euthanized at or near the time of CT imaging, two were euthanized at the time of surgery due to perceived mass non-resectability, and one had mass regression approximately four months post ovariohysterectomy but was subsequently lost to follow up. Five goats had pulmonary nodules, three of which had pathologic confirmation (pulmonary metastasis in a single patient with adenocarcinoma, and lungworm granulomas in two goats with leiomyosarcoma). Severe sublumbar lymphadenopathy and obstructive uropathy were sequelae in the two caprine patients with genital adenocarcinoma, and in none with leiomyosarcoma.

Deep Learning Estimation of Median Nerve Volume Using Ultrasound Imaging in a Human Cadaver Model.

Median nerve swelling is one of the features of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and ultrasound measurement of maximum median nerve cross-sectional area is commonly used to diagnose CTS. We hypothesized that volume might be a more sensitive measure than cross-sectional area for CTS diagnosis. We therefore assessed the accuracy and reliability of 3-D volume measurements of the median nerve in human cadavers, comparing direct measurements with ultrasound images interpreted using deep learning algorithms. Ultrasound images of a 10-cm segment of the median nerve were used to train the U-Net model, which achieved an average volume similarity of 0.89 and area under the curve of 0.90 from the threefold cross-validation. Correlation coefficients were calculated using the areas measured by each method. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86. Pearson's correlation coefficient R between the estimated volume from the manually measured cross-sectional area and the estimated volume of deep learning was 0.85. In this study using deep learning to segment the median nerve longitudinally, estimated volume had high reliability. We plan to assess its clinical usefulness in future clinical studies. The volume of the median nerve may provide useful additional information on disease severity, beyond maximum cross-sectional area.

LBSUN129 Adipose Tissue Analysis Toolkit (at-at): An Imagej Plugin For Automated Analysis Of Adipocyte Number, Size, And Pericellular Fibrosis In Histological Sections

Abstract Obesity-induced pathological expansion of white adipose tissue (WAT) involves adipocyte hypertrophy that occurs in tandem with the development of pericellular fibrosis. Other pathophysiological states, such as cancer and HIV, are also associated with fibrotic transformation of WAT depots. Aging, obesity, inactivity, and estrogen deficiency are also associated with an increase in bone marrow adiposity. Disease-associated changes in WAT morphology are typically assessed using histochemical analysis of WAT sections. However, manual analysis of large histological sections of WAT or bone marrow adipose tissue can be very time-consuming, while digital tools for the analysis of adipocyte size and pericellular fibrosis are limited. In response to this need, we have developed the Adipose Tissue Analysis Toolkit (AT-AT), a plugin for the open-source image analysis software ImageJ. AT-AT employs both local and global differentials in pixel intensity to threshold background apart from adipocyte-free tissue without user input. The AT-AT accurately captures adipocyte perimeter, maximum diameter, minimum diameter, and density per square millimeter of tissue in histological sections stained with common histological dyes, and performs automatic analysis of adipocyte cross-sectional area as well as pericellular fibrosis. AT-AT enables fully-automated analysis of batches of histological images using either default or user-defined adipocyte detection parameters including minimum circularity as well as minimum and maximum cross-sectional area. Likewise, users may set parameters for the thresholding algorithms, including the number of localized thresholds to be calculated in each image. AT-AT's thresholding techniques confer uniquely high resistances to both false-negative and false-positive detection events by comparison to other open-source adipocyte analysis software. They also enable superior measurement of adipocyte morphology, especially in the case of low-magnification images. AT-AT features several quality-of-life features, including automatic summarization of batch-collected data, the implementation of its thresholding algorithms as independent ImageJ commands, and an optional histogram builder. AT-AT can enhance the rigor and reproducibility of adipose tissue research. AT-AT will become available as a plugin for ImageJ in the fall of 2022. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Experimental investigation on mechanical behavior of 3D integrated woven spacer composites under quasi-static indentation and compression after indentation: Effect of indenter shapes

This paper presents an experimental study on the mechanical response of 3D integrated woven spacer carbon fiber composites under quasi-static indentation (QSI) and the failure behavior under compression after indentation (CAI). The test specimens are divided into weft direction ones (X-type) and warp direction ones (Y-type). The quasi-static indentation process is conducted using four types of indenters: the hemispherical indenter, the flat indenter, the conical indenter, and the pyramid indenter. A C-scan ultrasonic imaging system and a digital microscope are used to evaluate the damage visibility and penetration resistance of 3D integrated woven spacer composites during the QSI test. The digital image correlation (DIC) is used to perform the CAI analysis. The results indicate that the flat indenter has the largest indentation damage area (395 mm2 for X-type specimens, 398 mm2 for Y-type specimens), and the average indentation damage area caused by the four indenters is less than twice of the maximum cross-sectional area of each indenter. The maximum absorbed energy of two types of 3D integrated woven spacer composites is very similar in QSI tests under the same indenter. It is found that the residual strength of the X-type specimen decreases by 51.7% and that of the Y-type specimen decreases by 35.8% after the flat indenter penetrates the specimen.

P.32 Impact of age on muscle volume and T2-relaxation time during adulthood in mice using quantitative MRI

Overall ageing is associated with a loss of muscle volume and function over time; nevertheless, detailed changes of muscle tissue are incompletely understood. In this preliminary study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess the effect of age on muscle volume and T2. A cohort of 13 C57Bl/6J Rj male mice was followed from 2.5 to 17 months of age. MRI acquisitions were done at 7 Tesla using a 1H surface cryoprobe. Muscle volume and T2 of the anterior compartment (TA+EDL: tibialis anterior + extensor digitorum longus) were assessed by cross sectional area (CSA) from high-resolution gradient-echo axial images and from a multi-slice multi echo MRI sequence, respectively. Student's paired t test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Body weight increased up to 12 months and stayed constant until 17 months of age. Muscle volume reached its maximum at 9 months of age. The maximum CSA of TA+EDL muscles, measured on a single slice, decreased significantly from 9 to 17 months of age (8±0.5 mm² at 9 m/o vs 7.1±0.4 mm² at 17 m/o). In parallel, muscle T2 increased significantly from 2.5 to 17 months of age (T2 at 2.5 m/o = 21.5 ±0.2 ms vs T2 at 17 m/o = 22.6±0.3 ms) and from 2.5 to 6 months of age (T2 at 6 m/o = 22.3±0.4 ms). A similar tendency was also observed between 9 and 17 months of age (T2 at 9 m/o = 22± 0.5; p = 0.054). Repeated acquisitions of high-resolution images allowed for longitudinal follow-up of muscle volume from 2.5 up to 17 months of age in mice. The onset of muscle ageing seems to be around 9 months whereas body weight still increases up to 12 months. Muscle T2 increased significantly with age over the timespan of the study. In young ages (2.5 to 6 m/o), T2 increase probably reflects slight changes of histological water compartmentation related to tissue maturation. Ongoing experiments will refine this longitudinal follow-up and provide data at older ages.

Thrombin injection under B-flow and ultrasound guidance: A safe and effective treatment of pseudoaneurysms.

To evaluate the method of thrombin injection under B-flow and ultrasound guidance (BUGTI) for the treatment of pseudoaneurysms. Twenty-one patients suffering from pseudoaneurysm (PSA) were retrospectively reviewed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in Nanjing, China, from January 2018 to August 2019. The patients were treated using an ultrasound-guided injection of thrombin (500IU/mL) combined with B-mode blood flow imaging (B-flow). The information on the PSA, including the size of the arterial rupture and sac, flow rate, thrombin dose, and treatment outcome, was recorded during the procedure. Follow-up evaluation was performed at 1, 3, and 6months after the treatment. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed among the characteristics of PSA and the dose of thrombin. The age of patients ranged from 34 to 80years and averaged 62.8years. The maximum cross-sectional area of PSA ranged from 208 to 1148mm2. All patients were treated with thrombin injections. The dose of thrombin ranged from 300 to 1667 IU. No reperfusions were detected at follow-up 6months, and the BUGTI treatment was successful in all 21 cases. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated that the dose of thrombin was positively correlated with the width (r = 0.449, p < .05) and maximum cross-sectional area (r = 0.504, p < .05) of PSA. Thrombin injection under B-flow and ultrasound guidance is a rapid and effective treatment for PSA. Additionally, the sac size could be used to estimate the dose of thrombin.

Degradation of artificially corroded galvanized high-strength steel wires: Corrosion morphology and mechanical behavior

• Four typical pit morphologies exist on the corroded steel wires. • Pit depth and uniform corrosion depth are in constant competition while the competition tends to stabilize when corrosion loss is more than 10%. • Ductility degradation is greater than strength and the ductility degradation is related to the ratio of pit depth to residual radius. The corrosion morphology of artificially galvanized high-strength steel wires and its effect on mechanical behavior was presented. The corrosion morphology was obtained by 3D optical scanner. Four typical pit morphologies on corroded wires were identified, namely conical pit, hemispherical pit, combined pit and secondary pit. The probabilistic density function of cross-sectional parameters under different corrosion degree were modeled by normal distribution, and the evolution of model parameters was obtained. Based on the proposed evolution model, the maximum cross-sectional area loss was estimated by ‘3 σ rule’ of normal distribution function. Subsequently, the effect of corrosion pits on the mechanical behavior of corroded wires was discussed. It shows that the ductility degradation of corroded wires is much greater than that of strength, the ductility degradation is closely related to the ratio of pit depth to residual radius. Besides, it was found that the probabilistic density function of the ratio of pit depth to uniform corrosion depth tends to stabilize when the corrosion loss is more than 10%, which indicates that the surface of corroded wire with corrosion pits is uniformly thinning.