Method Of Choice Research Articles

Radiomics in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions: a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma and solitary metastases are the most common malignant neoplasms of the brain, characterized by high mortality and severe disability in patients. The method of choice for neuroimaging glioblastomas and metastases is contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. However, differentiation between the two is often difficult due to similar radiological features on MRI. Radiomics and machine learning can differentiate the primary origin of brain metastases and identify pathological tumor types noninvasively.OBJECTIVE: Application of texture analysis for differential diagnosis of glioblastomas and metastases of different etiologies.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 169 MRI studies from the RSCRR database were used in the study, 11 of which visualized morphologically differentiated glioblastoma of the brain, 55 lung cancer metastases and 103 breast cancer metastases. Segmentation of the regions of interest was performed semi-automatically in the free 3D-Slicer software with the ability to upload radiomic features from the regions of interest. For each lesion, 107 radiomic features were calculated from T1 and T2 sequences. Statistics: The calculation of statistical indicators was performed in a computer program for statistical data processing IBMSPSS Statistics 23. In statistical data processing, the Mann-Whitney statistical criterion for quantitative indicators and correlation analysis using the Pearson criterion were used to reduce the feature space. The reduction of the feature space and the selection of predictors by the feature_importances measure based on decision forests were carried out. Machine learning models were built in Python 3.10 using specialized libraries.RESULTS: For the model based on radiomic features extracted from T1 sequence, random forest showed the most efficient result, ROC-AUC=0.815 [0.749; 0.874]. For the model based on the radiomic features extracted from the T2 sequence, random forest showed the most effective result, ROC-AUC=0.817 [0.743; 0.873]. For the complex model based on radiomic features extracted from T1 and T2 sequences, random forest showed the most efficient result, ROC-AUC=0.855 [0.789; 0.906].DISCUSSION: The classification models and their metrics obtained by us indicate that the radiomic features extracted from T2 weighted MR images make it possible to differentiate breast cancer metastases from lung cancer metastases with higher sensitivity than the features extracted from T1 weighted MR images. We also identified a large number of significantly different indicators in the construction of models for the differentiation of glioblastomas from metastases, which demonstrates the prospects of this direction. It is planned to continue the study with the expansion of samples. Our conclusions are also confirmed by the research results of our foreign colleagues.CONCLUSION: The models we have obtained are highly accurate and sensitive to the differentiation of metastases of various etiologies and demonstrate significant potential in continuing this study with an expansion of samples.

Why laser microdissection and mass spectrometry is the method of choice for detection of membranous nephropathy antigens

Why laser microdissection and mass spectrometry is the method of choice for detection of membranous nephropathy antigens

CAUSALITIES OF MOTIVATION, SELF-RELATED BELIEFS, AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TOWARDS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT USING STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING

Students’ academic performances is an important factor as it affects students’ chances of higher education and job opportunities. While cognitive factor (e.g., intelligence quotient) plays a major role in students’ performances in academic environment, it does not guarantee students’ academic achievement. Instead, researches shows that non-cognitive factor can affects student performance as well. Three non-cognitive factor that will be researched in this study are motivation, self-related beliefs, and engagement. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as the method of choice to accommodate the study of the factors. 699 of students’ sample was taken from six public high school in Denpasar to conduct the research. SEM is used for its ability to analyze latent factors using measurement model and its ability to estimate multiple structural relation simultaneously. The model with a Goodness-of-fit (GFI) score of 0.981 confirms that Motivation does significantly directly affects student performances. Self-related beliefs and Engagement on the other hand significantly directly affects Motivation, hence the two constructs significantly indirectly affect student achievement.

Performing magnetic resonance imaging in patients with gunshot wounds: a guide for radiologists

INTRODUCTION: The safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with metallic foreign bodies is an important aspect that has been the subject of many scientific papers and guidelines. The issue of MRI in patients with implanted medical devices is well researched. However, for gunshot wounds, there are no clear guidelines for practitioners, and most recommendations are to refuse to perform the study if there is the slightest doubt about its safety.OBJECTIVE: To systematize information on the safety and quality of MRI in patients with gunshot wounds and to develop practical guidelines for radiologists.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed and summarized the main domestic and foreign recommendations for ensuring safety during MRI, generally accepted classifications and mechanisms of gunshot wounds.RESULTS: A review of physical risk factors in MRI, their causes, and recommendations for their minimization is presented. The influence of metallic objects on the appearance of artefacts on MRI images is considered. The algorithm of decision making on the safety of MRI in a patient with a bullet or shotgun wound is given. Two clinical observations are presented to illustrate the application of this algorithm.CONCLUSION: Performing MRI in gunshot wounds is feasible but requires careful analysis of the risks and the importance of diagnostic information. Interviewing the patient in these situations is often uninformative, so radiography or CT are the methods of choice for detection of metallic foreign bodies. To minimize the risks of MRI, a scan protocol should be prepared in advance and the patient should be monitored after each pulse sequence.

EANM/SNMMI guideline/procedure standard for [18F]FDG hybrid PET use in infection and inflammation in adults v2.0.

Hybrid [18F]FDG PET imaging is currently the method of choice for a wide variety of infectious and inflammatory disorders and was recently adopted in several clinical guidelines. A large amount of evidence-based articles, guidelines and appropriate use criteria have been published since the first version of this guideline in 2013. To provide updated evidence-based information to assist physicians in recommending, performing and interpreting hybrid [18F]FDG PET examinations for infectious and inflammatory disorders in the adult population. A systematic literature search of evidence-based articles using whole-body [18F]FDG hybrid imaging on the indications covered within this guideline was performed. All systematic reviews and meta-analyses published within the last 10 years until January 2023 were identified in PubMed/Medline or Cochrane. For each indication covered in this manuscript, diagnostic performance was provided based on meta-analyses or systematic reviews. If not available, results from prospective or retrospective studies were considered based on predefined selection criteria. RESULTSAND CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid [18F]FDG PET is extremely useful in the work-up and management of adults with infectious and inflammatory diseases, as supported by extensive and rapidly growing evidence-based literature and adoption in clinical guidelines. Practical recommendations are provided describing evidence-based indications as well as interpretation criteria and pitfalls.Monitoring treatment response is the most challenging but insufficiently studied potential application in infection and inflammation imaging.

ESR Essentials: role of PET/CT in neuroendocrine tumors-practice recommendations by the European Society for Hybrid, Molecular and Translational Imaging.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) originate from the secretory cells of the neuroendocrine system, with the majority arising in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Given the heterogeneity in the biological behavior and morphological differentiation of these tumors, advanced imaging techniques are crucial for supporting the suspected diagnosis, accurate staging, and monitoring therapy. As most well-differentiated NEN demonstrate overexpression of somatostatin receptors (SSR) on the cell surface, SSR-directed PET/CT is considered the reference standard for imaging of this particular entity. SSR-PET/CT should be the imaging method of choice in every NEN G1 or G2 and considered for re-staging after both potentially curative and non-curative surgeries. The extent of SSR expression is also crucial for determining a patient's eligibility for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). PRRT utilizes [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE to target the SSR receptor and can significantly prolong progression-free survival in patients with advanced, progressive neuroendocrine tumor of the gastroenteropancreatic system (GEP-NET). PET/CT is a central component of the multidisciplinary management of NEN. Variable follow-up intervals are recommended, considering that tumors with higher proliferation rates or advanced metastatic disease require more frequent assessments. The combination with other imaging modalities, like MRI, complements SSR-PET/CT, further enhancing overall diagnostic accuracy. KEY POINTS: Somatostatin receptor-PET/CT (SSR-PET/CT) is the guideline-recommended reference standard for imaging well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET). SSR-PET/CT should be the diagnostic imaging of choice for staging and post-therapy re-staging of grade 1 or 2 NET (G1 or G2). Variable follow-up intervals are recommended for NET G1 and G2. Tumors with higher proliferation rates or advanced metastatic disease necessitate more frequent assessments.

A Different Case Of Suicide By Hanging - Case Study Of The Event

A thorough analysis of circumstances and examination of the death scene is crucial before determining the manner of death in cases of hanging. While there are numerous reports of suicide and homicide by hanging in India, instances where the deceased is found with hands and/or feet bound and with feet touching a chair, the ground, or a bed, are considerably uncommon, as illustrated in this particular case (figure no.1). Hanging is indeed one of the methods used in suicides due to its accessibility and the perception that it may lead to a quick death. However, it's important to note that the choice of method can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and cultural context. It is very easy to locate the place (indoor/outdoor) as well as commonly available hanging materials like rope, long napkin, belt, saree, dupatta, and long cloth (dhoti). Partial hanging suicide with hand-tied rope/dupatta cases are very less in number. Data on suicides, such as those reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, provide important insights into patterns and risk factors for suicide, essential information for public health interventions, and policy-making aimed at preventing such deaths. A total of 1,70,924 suicides were reported in the country during 20229. Sometimes suicidal tendency of the victim is so high that he/she can tie his/her hands with ligature material so that he/she cannot escape from the suicidal situation. We can also learn about partial hanging and postmortem blisters from this case study.

Fan noise radial mode detection based on [formula omitted] regularization method

Radial mode detection has been widely employed in fan noise research. Many radial mode detection algorithms by conducting the convex L1 norm optimization have been proposed by taking advantage of the fact that the fan noise sound field is usually dominated by a limited set of radial modes. Nevertheless, L1 norm optimization has been shown to be suboptimal and cannot enforce further sparsity. A fan noise radial mode detection method based on L1/2 regularization algorithm is proposed in this paper to improve its robustness and dynamic range. This method employs the L1/2 regularization to directly solve the in-duct sound propagation model. Synthesized simulations indicates that the L1/2 regularization method can detect the correct radial mode order and amplitude under low signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the new method is insensitive to regularization parameter. An experimental system of radial rake is implemented to validate the new method. It is shown that the L-curve method, which do not require any prior information of the acoustic mode distribution or contaminating measurement noise, is an appropriate choice of the regularization parameter determination method for the L1/2 regularizer. It is demonstrated that the new L1/2 regularization method can enhance the mode sparsity, especially under low signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the resolution and dynamic range can be improved by the L1/2 regularization method, which makes it an effective and robust fan noise radial mode detection technique in practical applications.

The Size of Transactions, Types of Products, and the Choice Between Electronic Payments and Cash Usage

Fueled by recent policy advancements and technological progress, India’s digital payment system is on the verge of becoming a noteworthy success story. Concurrently, data also highlights the continued reliance on cash. While broad national-level data can provide insights into overall citizen preferences, we utilize a survey-based data-set to gain insight into how factors such as ’transaction size,’ ’nature of the product,’ ’consumer perception,’ ’trust’ in digital payments, and the costs associated with digital transactions influence consumer payment behavior. While demographic factors like age and income play a role in these choices, we discover compelling evidence that an individual’s choice of digital payment methods is strongly shaped by their perception of these options, transaction size, trust, associated costs, and the product category. Notably, we observe that as transaction size increases, the use of digital payment methods tends to decrease.

Involving unused land in the economic turnover of the agricultural sector of a region: institutional regulation and economic feasibility

The article shows the necessity of institutional regulation of the process of involving unused agricultural land into the economic turnover of the agrarian sphere of a region. It presents quantitative and qualitative characteristics of previously withdrawn agricultural lands, their territorial distribution by soil and climatic microzones and administrative districts of a region, unused period duration, residual fertility level (in terms of humus content), and land plots degradation degree. A calculation-analytical complex such as an algorithm representing a four-stage mechanism of analysis, preparation and decision-making on the choice of the land plots restoration method and their further use option has been developed and proposed for use. It is recommended to use three options for land plots restoration: direct return to economic turnover in case of a short period of non-use; carrying out cultural and technical measures with subsequent implementation into the turnover; transfer to another category of use in case of a high degree of degradation and low fertility level. The developed algorithm of unused agricultural land involvement is aimed at preserving the land potential of a region, strengthening the rational land use system. The presented stages provide not only theoretical and methodological, but also practical significance. Application scope is scientific organizations, agroindustrial complex management bodies at the municipal and regional levels, and agricultural producers.

Cardiac sarcoidosis: diagnosis and management.

Non-caseating granulomatous infiltration of the myocardium is the hallmark of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). CS manifests clinically as conduction disturbance, ventricular arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death and/or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Other than confirmation through endomyocardial biopsy, a diagnosis of probable CS can be established by histological evidence of systemic sarcoidosis in addition to characteristic clinical or advanced imaging findings. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging (CMR) and 18F-flurodeoxyglycose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) are imaging modalities indispensable in the diagnosis and monitoring of CS. FDG-PET is the method of choice for identifying the active inflammatory phase of CS and in the monitoring and modifying of immunosuppressive treatment. CMR is better suited for assessing cardiac morphology and function. Both modalities are more effective in detecting CS when used in combination than either is alone. Management of CS is primarily based upon observational data of low quality due to a paucity of randomized controlled trials. Corticosteroid therapy and/or tiered-immunosuppression are the mainstays of treatment in reducing myocardial inflammation. Steroid-sparing agents aim to limit the unfavorable side-effects of a significant steroid burden. Antiarrhythmics and guideline-directed medical therapies are utilized for control of ventricular arrhythmia and left ventricular dysfunction respectively. CS necessitates multidisciplinary care in specialized centers to most effectively diagnose and manage the disease. Additional randomized trials are warranted to further our understanding of medical optimization in CS.

Monitoring for PERV Following Xenotransplantation.

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pigs. PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C can be released as infectious virus particles and PERV-A and PERV-B can infect human cells in culture. PERV-C does not infect human cells, but high-titer recombinant PERV-A/C can infect them. Retroviruses are able to induce immunosuppression and/or tumors in the infected host. Numerous methods have been developed to study PERV in donor pigs. No PERV infections were observed in infection experiments as well as in preclinical and clinical xenotransplantation trials. Despite this, several strategies have been developed to prevent PERV infection of the recipient. PCR-based and immunological methods are required to screen xenotransplant recipients. Since the proviruses are integrated into the pig genome, PERV infection has to be distinguished from microchimerism, e.g., the presence of pig cells in the recipient, which is common in xenotransplantation. Sensitive PCR methods using pig short interspersed nuclear elements (SINE) sequences allow to detect pig cells easily. Virus infection can also be detected by an increase of viral genomic or mRNA in human cells. The method of choice, however, is to screen for specific antibodies against PERV using different recombinant PERV proteins, purified viruses or peptides.

Viromes vs. mixed community metagenomes: choice of method dictates interpretation of viral community ecology

BackgroundViruses, the majority of which are uncultivated, are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth. From altering microbial physiology to driving community dynamics, viruses are fundamental members of microbiomes. While the number of studies leveraging viral metagenomics (viromics) for studying uncultivated viruses is growing, standards for viromics research are lacking. Viromics can utilize computational discovery of viruses from total metagenomes of all community members (hereafter metagenomes) or use physical separation of virus-specific fractions (hereafter viromes). However, differences in the recovery and interpretation of viruses from metagenomes and viromes obtained from the same samples remain understudied.ResultsHere, we compare viral communities from paired viromes and metagenomes obtained from 60 diverse samples across human gut, soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Overall, viral communities obtained from viromes had greater species richness and total viral genome abundances than those obtained from metagenomes, although there were some exceptions. Despite this, metagenomes still contained many viral genomes not detected in viromes. We also found notable differences in the predicted lytic state of viruses detected in viromes vs metagenomes at the time of sequencing. Other forms of variation observed include genome presence/absence, genome quality, and encoded protein content between viromes and metagenomes, but the magnitude of these differences varied by environment.ConclusionsOverall, our results show that the choice of method can lead to differing interpretations of viral community ecology. We suggest that the choice of whether to target a metagenome or virome to study viral communities should be dependent on the environmental context and ecological questions being asked. However, our overall recommendation to researchers investigating viral ecology and evolution is to pair both approaches to maximize their respective benefits.ADm-mTTAXM3aVZwCyoroCBVideo

Dermal fibroblasts in the focus of modern cosmetology: aging and response to cosmetic procedures: A review

The article presents a review of modern information about the structure and function of dermal fibroblasts. The morphophysiology of fibroblasts, their role in the formation of connective tissue of the dermis and its restoration after damage are discussed. Detailed knowledge about proliferative and synthetic activity of fibroblasts seems to be very important in the reasonable choice of methods for correction of age-related skin changes and sequence of invasive procedures.

Enhancing Photovoltaic Power Predictions with Deep Physical Chain Model

Predicting solar power generation is a complex challenge with multiple issues, such as data quality and choice of methods, which are crucial to effectively integrate solar power into power grids and manage photovoltaic plants. This study creates a hybrid methodology to improve the accuracy of short-term power prediction forecasts using a model called Transformer Bi-LSTM (Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory). This model, which combines elements from the transformer architecture and bidirectional LSTM (Long–Short-Term Memory), is evaluated using two strategies: the first strategy makes a direct prediction using meteorological data, while the second employs a chain of deep learning models based on transfer learning, thus simulating the traditional physical chain model. The proposed approach improves performance and allows you to incorporate physical models to refine forecasts. The results outperform existing methods on metrics such as mean absolute error, specifically by around 24%, which could positively impact power grid operation and solar adoption.

Potential of media resources in popularizing volunteer activities

The article is devoted to the potential of mass media in popularization of volunteering among students. Development of media technologies inevitably influences the process of socialization. Digital media resources have a strong influence on the formation of behavior patterns, norms and rules, and therefore their capabilities can be used to develop a prosocial orientation in the behavior of young people. Promotion of volunteer activities involves an appropriate choice of channels and methods of presenting information in the mass media, taking into account the characteristics of the audience. Effective constructs in this process can be strategies that involve the possibility of influencing decision-making at the subconscious level, including on the basis of priming, framing, imprinting by focusing the audience's attention on strategically important moments and situations. The combination of social, cognitive and information technologies makes it possible to include manipulative techniques in the communicative and information space that contribute to the formation of an attractive image of volunteering and motivation of corresponding behavioral attitudes.

Influence of the seeding rate, row spacing, and cultivar on alfalfa forage yield in the first production year

The cultivated lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely grown forage legume, mainly due to its high nutritive quality and yield. The objective of this study was to provide information about the optimal seeding rate and row spacing for alfalfa cultivation under rainfed conditions in the Republic of North Macedonia. Alfalfa was sown in the fall of 2020 using randomized complete block design in a split-split plot arrangement with three replications. The effects of two seeding rates (8 and 16 kg ha-1) and two row spaces (20 and 40 cm) were examined on the fresh forage yield (FFY) and dry matter yield (DMY) of four alfalfa cultivars. Based on the evaluation, the sowing method (row spacing) and cultivar choice have shown a significant impact on the obtained forage yield. Higher average yield of fresh (73.7 t ha-1) and dry (20.3 t ha-1) forage was achieved at a sowing distance of 20 cm. Since the seeding rate did not significantly impact the FFY and DMY, in regions with a temperate climate, it is recommended that lower seeding rates than 16 kg ha-1 should be used in order to have sufficient and cost-effective alfalfa production. The inevitable issues for increasing alfalfa production are the selection of an appropriate cultivar with good adaptability to recent climate change within compatible establishment methods.

Carryover analysis by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in a multiproduct resin reuse context

The reuse of the same chromatography resin to purify multiple products is of high economic and ecologic interest in the pharmaceutical industry. An effective cleaning program to ensure no product carryover from one product to the subsequent is key to enable a multi-product use strategy. The methods utilised to assess product carryover during resin lifetime studies for a given product are not specific enough to detect carryover to support multi-product use. Here the proposed use of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the analytical method of choice due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. A proof-of-concept study using protein A resin and two distinct IgG product streams produced by CHO cell lines was conducted. The experimental design was developed to determine any carryover from previous products after a multiple product Protein A resin reuse process, using LC-MS and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The capability of LC-MS coupled with bioinformatic analysis to detect carryover where CE with UV detection was not able to detect any carryover was demonstrated. The findings from this approach suggest that the acceptance of chromatographic resin reuse for multiple products will be dependent on the development of analytical/bioinformatics tools such as those proposed in this work.

Choice of Alternative Method of Surgical Intervention in Abdominal Rectus Diastasis with Concomitant Midline Hernias

INTRODUCTION: To date, no consensus has been achieved on the most appropriate surgical method for the treatment of abdominal rectus diastasis concomitant with midline hernias. AIM: Study of the results of three original methods of surgical treatment of patients with abdominal rectus diastasis concomitant with midline hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of treatment of 74 patients have been analyzed. The patients were divided into three comparable groups: in the first group (n = 25), repair with local tissues with formation of aponeurotic duplication was performed, in the second group (n = 24), autodermal de-epithelialized graft was used, in the third group (n = 25) — mesh sub-lay implants. The following parameters were evaluated: duration of narcotic analgesia in the postoperative period, period of activation of patients, periods of inpatient treatment and results on Clavien-Dindo and EuraHSQoL scales. The follow-up period was from 1 to 10 years after surgery. RESULTS: The period of postoperative use of narcotic analgesics was 1.08 ± 0.38 days in the first group, 0.98 ± 0.33 days in the second group, 2.13 ± 0.93 days in the third group. The period of activation was 3.00 ± 1.53 days in the first group, 0.89 ± 0.36 days in the second group, 1.5 ± 0.48 days in the third group; the duration of inpatient treatment was 9.24 ± 1.88 bed-days, 6.34 ± 3.04 bed-days and 8.36 ± 2.14 bed-days, respectively. Postoperative complications in the first group were CDI class 6, CDII class 3, in the second group CDI class 1, in the third group CDI class 6, CDII class 3. At 12 months after the operation, painful sensations and functional discomfort on EuraHSQoL scale were absent in the second group, in the first and third groups, limitations in physical activity were noted (р ≤ 0.05; differences between the first and third groups were statistically insignificant, p ≥ 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the cosmetic discomfort between the groups (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: A safer and more effective method of repair of the anterior abdominal wall in patients with concomitant abdominal rectus diastasis and midline hernias is plastic surgery with application of de-epithelialized autodermal graft.

Influence of the sound propagation models to predict far field wind turbine noise

During the development process of a wind farm, the noise impact on neighboring residents is of crucial importance to limit annoyance and comply with local regulations. In France, this assessment is carried out by modelling the propagation of sound from each wind turbine to residents. For wind farm owners, this phase will in fine define the operation of the wind farm and therefore its electricity production. However, there are major concerns and uncertainties during this modelling phase. A concrete example of the influence of the choice of propagation model on the production of a wind farm is presented, giving an idea of its economic impact. Comparisons of the impact of wind farm noise modelled by engineering models with measurements taken on wind farms in operation provide a better understanding of the choice of certain methods or parameters. Taken together, these observations suggest areas for further research and development, with the aim of perhaps defining a more restricted framework for the sound propagation modelling stage, in order to help operators predict wind farm noise more accurately.