Percentage Of Defects Research Articles

129Xe MRI Ventilation Defects in Asthma: What is the Upper Limit of Normal and Minimal Clinically Important Difference?

The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and upper limit of normal (ULN) for MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) were previously reported for hyperpolarized 3He gas MRI. Hyperpolarized 129Xe VDP is more sensitive to airway dysfunction than 3He, therefore the objective of this study was to determine the ULN and MCID for 129Xe MRI VDP in healthy and asthma participants. We retrospectively evaluated healthy and asthma participants who underwent spirometry and 129XeMRI on a single visit; participants with asthma completed the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ-7). The MCID was estimated using distribution- (smallest detectable difference [SDD]) and anchor-based (ACQ-7) methods. Two observers measured VDP (semiautomated k-means-cluster segmentation algorithm) in 10 participants with asthma, five-times each in random order, to determine SDD. The ULN was estimated based on the 95% confidence interval of the relationships between VDP and age. Mean VDP was 1.6 ± 1.2% for healthy (n=27) and 13.7 ± 12.9% for asthma participants (n=55). ACQ-7 and VDP were correlated (r=.37, p=.006; VDP=3.5·ACQ+4.9). The anchor-based MCID was 1.75% while the mean SDD and distribution-based MCID was 2.25%. VDP was correlated with age for healthy participants (p=.56, p =.003; VDP=.04·Age-.01). The ULN for all healthy participants was 2.0%. By age tertiles, the ULN was 1.3% ages 18-39 years, 2.5% for 40-59 years and 3.8% for 60-79 years. The 129Xe MRI VDP MCID was estimated in participants with asthma; the ULN was estimated in healthy participants across a range of ages, both of which provide a way to interpret VDP measurements in clinical investigations.

Defects identification in raw jute fibre using convolutional neural network models

Defects in the raw jute are the second most important parameter in the jute grading system, as it affects the quality of yarn. Raw fibre with more defects tends to bring its price down and seriously affects the selling price of the product. Besides, it affects the process of fibre i.e. carding and spinning during yarn preparation. Currently, visual methods are in vogue in the market to assess the defects. Traditional approach of detection of defects is time consuming and needs specialized knowledge. In the present study, the feasibility of four state of art CNN models (GoogLeNet, AlexNet, ResNet50 and DarkNet53) were evaluated in defect detection with different hyper parameter settings. Models were evaluated for accuracy, precision, and F1-score. The accuracy of selected models ranged from 76.9% to 97.4%. Among all the models, DarkNet53 performed better than other models with an accuracy of 97.4%, precision 97.5% and recall 97.5% at 20 epochs and 16 batch sizes. DarkNet53 was tested again for random different defects images taken from the test set and found that the model can identify various defects effectively. The results of the present study showed that the pre-trained model coupled with a measuring approach can be used to measure the percentage of defects in raw jute fibre.

A single-breath-hold protocol for hyperpolarized 129 Xe ventilation and gas exchange imaging.

Hyperpolarized 129 Xe MRI (Xe-MRI) is increasingly used to image the structure and function of the lungs. Because 129 Xe imaging can provide multiple contrasts (ventilation, alveolar airspace size, and gas exchange), imaging often occurs over several breath-holds, which increases the time, expense, and patient burden of scans. We propose an imaging sequence that can be used to acquire Xe-MRI gas exchange and high-quality ventilation images within a single, approximately 10 s, breath-hold. This method uses a radial one-point Dixon approach to sample dissolved 129 Xe signal, which is interleaved with a 3D spiral ("FLORET") encoding pattern for gaseous 129 Xe. Thus, ventilation images are obtained at higher nominal spatial resolution (4.2 × 4.2 × 4.2 mm3 ) compared with gas-exchange images (6.25 × 6.25 × 6.25 mm3 ), both competitive with current standards within the Xe-MRI field. Moreover, the short 10 s Xe-MRI acquisition time allows for 1 H "anatomic" images used for thoracic cavity masking to be acquired within the same breath-hold for a total scan time of about 14 s. Images were acquired using this single-breath method in 11 volunteers (N = 4 healthy, N = 7 post-acute COVID). For 11 of these participants, a separate breath-hold was used to acquire a "dedicated" ventilation scan and five had an additional "dedicated" gas exchange scan. The images acquired using the single-breath protocol were compared with those from dedicated scans using Bland-Altman analysis, intraclass correlation (ICC), structural similarity, peak signal-to-noise ratio, Dice coefficients, and average distance. Imaging markers from the single-breath protocol showed high correlation with dedicated scans (ventilation defect percent, ICC = 0.77, p = 0.01; membrane/gas, ICC = 0.97, p = 0.001; red blood cell/gas, ICC = 0.99, p < 0.001). Images showed good qualitative and quantitative regional agreement. This single-breath protocol enables the collection of essential Xe-MRI information within one breath-hold, simplifying scanning sessions and reducing costs associated with Xe-MRI.

Feasibility of free-breathing 19 F MRI image acquisition tocharacterize ventilation defects in CF and healthy volunteers at wash-in.

To explore the feasibility of measuring ventilation defect percentage (VDP) using 19 F MRI during free-breathing wash-in of fluorinated gas mixture with postacquisition denoising and to compare these results with those obtained through traditional Cartesian breath-hold acquisitions. Eight adults with cystic fibrosis and 5 healthy volunteers completed a single MR session on a Siemens 3T Prisma. 1 H Ultrashort-TE MRI sequences were used for registration and masking, and ventilation images with 19 F MRI were obtained while the subjects breathed a normoxic mixture of 79% perfluoropropane and 21% oxygen (O2 ). 19 F MRI was performed during breath holds and while free breathing with one overlapping spiral scan at breath hold for VDP value comparison. The 19 F spiral data were denoised using a low-rank matrix recovery approach. VDP measured using 19 F VIBE and 19 F spiral images were highly correlated (r=0.84) at 10 wash-in breaths. Second-breath VDPs were also highly correlated (r=0.88). Denoising greatly increased SNR (pre-denoising spiral SNR, 2.46 ± 0.21; post-denoising spiral SNR, 33.91 ± 6.12; and breath-hold SNR, 17.52 ± 2.08). Free-breathing 19 F lung MRI VDP analysis was feasible and highly correlated with breath-hold measurements. Free-breathing methods are expected to increase patient comfort and extend ventilation MRI use to patients who are unable to perform breath holds, including younger subjects and those with more severe lung disease.

Routine fetal echocardiography for detection of congenital heart disease-mandatory or an optional tool?

Background: Aim of the study was to assess the role of fetal echocardiography in identification of antenatal cardiac defects in a tertiary care centre in North India. Methods: Prospective study done in a tertiary care centre in North India on female patients presenting to a tertiary care centre with pregnancy over a period of two years. All routine investigations were done and specific examination in the form of a screening fetal echocardiography was done in the selected two groups of patients, high and low risk. Results: A sample size of 250 patients with intrauterine pregnancy of 18-28 weeks of gestation was analyzed. A detailed history, examination and fetal echocardiography was performed in all the patients. In group I-105 patients with elevated risk factors (for congenital heart disease) (CHD) were included whereas in group II-145 patients with low risk factors were taken. The various demographic parameters among the two groups were almost similar. The outcome was also similar in two groups with nil neonatal mortality. Except for the NICU admission between the two groups, rest all the parameters whether maternal or neonatal were not statistically significant. Conclusions: In the present study, we tried to find out role of fetal echocardiography for detection of CHD in high and low risk cases. The results were almost similar in both high and low risk group. Indications of referral for fetal echocardiography cannot be listed as it was found that almost similar percentage of heart defects are seen in both groups I and II.

Evaluation of commercial rice grains present in the Amman market

Rice is a staple food that contributes to significant energy intake. Jordan relies on importing to provide the market with the required quantities of rice. Different varieties from different sources with various qualities are available in the market. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of rice available in the markets in Amman city-Jordan. Twenty-five brands (three samples from each brand) were collected. Samples were evaluated regarding chemical composition, dimensions before and after cooking, percentage of different defects, pasting profile (pasting temperature, peak viscosity, peak time, trough, and final viscosity), whiteness, transparency, and milling degree. All rice samples tested comply with the Jordanian standard except for chalky kernels (four brands), heat-damaged kernels (one brand), and insect infestation (two brands). All samples that did not fulfil the Jordanian specifications were from the long-grain rice. Medium-grain rice has higher whiteness, transparency, milling degree, moisture, starch, peak viscosity, trough, and final viscosity than long-grain rice. On the other hand, long-grain rice has a higher protein, pasting temperature, and peak time. There were significant differences in pasting and chemical composition parameters within the two groups of grain sizes. The average elongation ratio for all samples was 1.57 ±0.14, with significant differences between different brands. Due to the higher pasting temperature and peak time, long-grain rice requires more energy during cooking than medium-grain rice.

Implementation of Tree Diagram Method, Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) and 5W 1H to Reduce Corky Defective Products in PT. XYZ

PT XYZ is a company that manufactures of tire fabrics in the Tangerang. Global competition force the company continues to strive to reduce process costs, one of which is by reducing the highest percentage of defects, namely corky defects, corky defects reach 39.7% of total defects. The tree diagram and FMEA methods, selected for the analysis of potential failures that cause corky defects are found namely: Threads are not clamped when changing pots, joints are not pulled at the beginning of running, roll regulator worn is used for the process, dirty of roll regulator is used for the process, wrong setting inner brake. The 5W 1H method results from corrective actions, namely: Refreshing programs for twisting production operators, checking periodically the roll regulator used by the process is still good, making schedules, and reporting on the implementation of cleaning roll regulators and evaluating by production leaders. From the corrective actions taken, it succeeded in reducing the percentage of corky defects in the twisting plant 2 process, down from 39.7% to 14.9% in semester 2 of 2021.

Size-Dependent Electrochemical Metal Growth Kinetics

This work explores the electrochemical deposition (ECD) of Au onto chemically preformed Au nanoparticles (NPs) as a function of Au NP size. The growth potential and current depend strongly on the size of the preformed Au NPs (seeds) due to different Au NP size-dependent kinetics of the growth process. Electrochemical reversibility depends on the Au NP size, scan rate, metal precursor concentration ([AuCl4–]), and Au NP coverage. The Au NPs need to reach a critical total surface area to have enough active area to cause the ECD over the entire electrode to be electrochemically reversible and operate under linear diffusion mass transfer-limited conditions. The smaller Au NPs require less total surface area to reach this condition because they have higher activity per surface area, which is not fully understood but could be due to a greater percentage of defects on their surface, such as edge and corner atom sites.

Characterization of Al Alloys Injected through Vacuum-Assisted HPDC and Influence of T6 Heat Treatment

AlSi12(Fe), AlSi10Mg(Fe), AlSi10MnMg, and AlMg4Fe2 die-casting alloys were produced by high-pressure die casting (HPDC) and vacuum-assisted high-pressure die casting (VADC) under a vacuum level of 200 mbar. The chemical composition, hardness, gas and shrinkage porosity, and mechanical properties were analyzed. The parts under study were subjected to a T6 heat treatment. The VADC led to a decrease in the percentage of defects in the as-cast state for all the alloys, due to a reduction in the amount of gas porosities. After heat treatment, the quantity of gas and shrinkage porosities increased. The efficiency and level of vacuum used were not sufficient to improve the mechanical properties in the as-cast state. The ductility of AlSi10Mg(Fe) and AlSi10MnMg alloys was improved after heat treatment; however, the YS and UTS of AlSi10Mg(Fe) did not increase. The primary aluminum alloys presented higher elongation values than the secondary aluminum alloys due to the reduced amount of the needle-like β-Al5FeSi phase.

Intra- and Inter-visit Repeatability of 129 Xenon Multiple-Breath Washout MRI in Children With Stable Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease.

Multiple-breath washout (MBW) 129 Xe MRI (MBW Xe-MRI) is a promising technique for following pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease progression. However, its repeatability in stable CF needs to be established to use it as an outcome measure for novel therapies. To assess intravisit and intervisit repeatability of MBW Xe-MRI in healthy and CF children. Prospective, longitudinal cohort study. A total of 18 pediatric subjects (7 healthy, 11 CF). A 3 T/2D coronal hyperpolarized (HP) 129 Xe images using GRE sequence. All subjects completed MBW Xe-MRI, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (spirometry, nitrogen [N2 ] MBW for lung clearance index [LCI]) and ventilation defect percent (VDP) at baseline (visit 1) and 1-month after. Fractional ventilation (FV), coefficient of variation (CoVFV ) maps were calculated from MBW Xe-MRI data acquired between intervening air washout breaths performed after an initial xenon breath-hold. Skewness of FV and CoVFV map distributions was also assessed. Repeatability: intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), within-subject coefficient of variation (CV%), repeatability coefficient (CR). Agreement: Bland-Altman. For correlations between MBW Xe-MRI, VDP and PFTs: Spearman's correlation. Significance threshold: P < 0.05. For FV, intravisit median [IQR] ICC was high in both healthy (0.94 [0.48, 0.99]) and CF (0.83 [0.04, 0.97]) subjects. CoVFV also had good intravisit ICC in healthy (0.92 [0.42, 0.99]) and CF (0.79 [0.02, 0.96]) subjects. Similarly, for FV, intervisit ICC was high in health (0.94 [0.68, 0.99]) and CF (0.89 [0.61, 0.97]). CoVFV also had good intervisit ICC in health (0.92 [0.42, 0.99]) and CF (0.78 [0.26, 0.94]). FV had better intervisit repeatability than VDP. CoVFV correlated significantly with LCI (R=0.56). Skewness of FV distributions significantly distinguished between cohorts at baseline. MBW Xe-MRI had high intravisit and intervisit repeatability in healthy and stable CF subjects. CoVFV correlated with LCI, suggesting the importance of ventilation heterogeneity to early CF. 1. Stage 2.

Effects of heat treatment temperature on the morphology, composition, and electrocatalytic properties of electrodeposited NiB thin films towards OER

In this study, we evaluate the textural properties, elemental composition, and electrocatalytic properties of NiB films formed by electrodeposition and thermal treatment at 520 and 650°C. The NiB films were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology and composition of the NiB films were affected by the applied thermal treatment, showing an increase and decrease in oxygen and boron concentrations in the coatings, respectively. This behavior is associated with the decomposition of the NiB intermetallic compounds, as well as the formation of NiO with increasing temperature. In addition, the XPS analysis showed that the percentage of surface defects formed during the electrodeposition of the NiB films decreased after the thermal treatment of the samples. Linear voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of the NiB films towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). NiB films without thermal treatment showed the lowest onset potential for the OER (1.47 V vs. RHE), overpotential to reach 10 mAcm−2 (400 mV), Tafel slope (68 mV dec−1), and charge transfer resistance (2.4 Ω). This finding reveals that the NiB electrocatalyst without thermal treatment presents similar or superior performance to other electrocatalysts reported in the literature, while the OER kinetics of the NiB electrocatalyst decreases after heat treating at 520 or 650°C, due to the NiB decomposition, decrease in the percentage of surface defects and NiO formation.

CT Mucus Score and 129Xe MRI Ventilation Defects After 2.5 Years’ Anti-IL-5Rα in Eosinophilic Asthma

We previously showed in patients with poorly controlled eosinophilic asthma that a single dose of benralizumab resulted in significantly improved Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) score and 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) 28days postinjection, and 129Xe MRI VDP and CT airway mucus occlusions were shown to independently predict this early ACQ-6 response to benralizumab. Do early VDP responses at 28days persist, and do FEV1, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and mucus plug score improve during a 2.5 year treatment period? Participants with poorly controlled eosinophilic asthma completed spirometry, ACQ-6, and MRI, 28days, 1 year, and 2.5 years after initiation of treatment with benralizumab; chest CT was acquired at enrollment and 2.5 years later. Of 29 participants evaluated at 28days post-benralizumab, 16 participants returned for follow-up while on therapy at 1 year, and 13 participants were evaluable while on therapy at 2.5 years post-benralizumab initiation. As compared with 28days post-benralizumab, ACQ-6 score (2.0 ± 1.4) significantly improved after 1 year (0.5 ± 0.6, P= .02; 95%CI, 0.1-1.1) and 2.5 years (0.5 ± 0.5, P= .03; 95%CI, 0.1-1.1). The mean VDP change at 2.5 years (-4%± 3%) was greater than the minimal clinically important difference, but not significantly different from VDP measured 28days post-benralizumab. Mucus score (3 ± 4) was significantly improved at 2.5 years (1 ± 1, P= .03; 95%CI, 0.3-5.5). In six of eight participants with previous occlusions, mucus plugs vanished or substantially diminished 2.5 years later. VDP (P< .001) and mucus score (P< .001) measured at baseline, but not fractional exhaled nitric oxide or FEV1, independently predicted ACQ-6 score after 2.5 years. In poorly controlled eosinophilic asthma, early MRI VDP responses at 28days post-benralizumab persisted 2.5 years later, alongside significantly improved mucus scores and asthma control.

Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome: 129Xe MRI Ventilation Defects and Respiratory Outcomes 1 Year Later.

Background In individuals with postacute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) and normal pulmonary function, xenon 129 (129Xe) MRI ventilation defects, abnormal quality-of-life scores, and exercise limitation were reported 3 months after infection; the longitudinal trajectory remains unclear. Purpose To measure and compare pulmonary function, exercise capacity, quality of life, and 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) in individuals with PACS evaluated 3 and 15 months after COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, participants with PACS aged 18-80 years were enrolled between July 2020 and August 2021 from two quaternary care centers. 129Xe MRI VDP, diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco), spirometry, oscillometry, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were evaluated 3 months and 15 months after COVID-19 infection. Differences between time points were evaluated using the paired t test. Multivariable models were generated to explain exercise capacity and quality-of-life improvement. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to evaluate potential treatment influences. Results Overall, 53 participants (mean age, 55 years ± 18 [SD]; 27 women) attended both 3- and 15-month visits and were included in the analysis. The mean values for 129Xe MRI VDP (5.8% and 4.2%; P = .003), forced expiratory volume in the 1st second of expiration percent predicted (84% and 90%; P = .001), Dlco percent predicted (86% and 99%; P = .002), and SGRQ score (35 and 25; P < .001) improved between the 3- and 15-month visit. VDP measured 3 months after COVID-19 infection predicted the change in 6MWD (β = -0.643, P = .006), while treatment with respiratory medication at 3 months predicted an improved quality-of-life score at 15 months (OR, 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 13.8; P = .03). Conclusion Pulmonary function, gas exchange, exercise capacity, quality of life, and 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) improved in participants with postacute COVID-19 syndrome at 15 months compared with 3 months after infection. VDP measured at 3 months after infection correlated with improved exercise capacity, while treatment with respiratory medication was associated with an improved quality-of-life score 15 months after infection. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT05014516 © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Vogel-Claussen in this issue.

Assessment of lung ventilation of premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 1.5 Tesla using phase-resolved functional lung magnetic resonance imaging.

The most common chronic complication of preterm birth is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), widely referred to as chronic lung disease of prematurity. All current definitions rely on characterizing the disease based on respiratory support level and do not provide full understanding of the underlying cardiopulmonary pathophysiology. To evaluate a rapid functional lung imaging technique in premature infants and to quantitate pulmonary ventilation using 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We conducted a prospective MRI study of 12 premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) using the phase resolved functional lung MRI technique to calculate pulmonary ventilation parameters in preterm infants with and without BPD grade 0/1 (n = 6) and grade 2/3 (n = 6). The total ventilation defect percentage showed a significant difference between groups (16.0% IQR (11.0%,18%) BPD grade 2/3 vs. 8.0% IQR (4.5%,9.0%) BPD grade 0/1, p = 0.01). Phase-resolved functional lung MRI is feasible for assessment of ventilation defect percentages in preterm infants and shows regional variation in localized lung function in this population.

Role of enkephalin derivative in promoting wound healing and scar remodeling via increased epidermal growth factor in a mouse model

Background Enkephalin, an endogenous neuropeptide, binds to the delta (δ) opioid receptor and exerts an antinociceptive effect. Recent studies have suggested that neuropeptides might effectuate cutaneous wound healing. Therefore, we investigated the effects of an enkephalin derivative on wound healing and scar formation in vivo.Methods Enkephalin derivatives (leucine-enkephalin) were synthesized using the alanine scan method, and the most promising derivative (E10) was selected for further testing. In 15 C57BL/6N mice, two full-thickness skin defects (10 mm in diameter) were made on both sides of the back (left side, enkephalin group; right side, control group). The enkephalin group was administered 100 μL of E10 (AGGFL, 200 μg/mL), and the control group received phosphate-buffered saline. The wound size was digitally analyzed on days 2, 4, 7, and 10. After 21 days, the scar tissues were histologically evaluated for the scar depression index (SDI), and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The skin defect percentages were 98.4%±17.9% (day 2), 83.2%±24.0% (day 4), 39.7%±17.4% (day 7), and 16.2%±10.0% (day 10) in the control group and 86.1%±15.0% (day 2), 61.4%±11.6% (day 4), 26.6%±8.8% (day 7), and 16.4%±8.8% (day 10) in the enkephalin group. The SDI values were significantly lower in the enkephalin group (0.06±0.19) than in the control group (0.22±0.13, P&lt;0.001). The EGF level was significantly higher in the enkephalin group (102.2±22.6 pg/mL) than in the control group (42.1±20.5 pg/mL, P&lt;0.001).Conclusions An enkephalin derivative promoted wound healing and reduced depressed scar formation in a mouse model.

Understanding the Influence of Metal Oxide Layer Thickness and Defects on Resistive Switching Behavior Through Numerical Modeling

The resistive switching dynamics in metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structures may be explained through the formation and rupture of metallic filaments in the dielectric layer. Considerable research has been performed as an attempt to explain the microscopic origins of how regions that are originally insulating can change into conductors. Looking at how these conducting local regions are interconnected, the simulation of these localized switches can help understand how material properties such as thickness and defects influence the switching behavior and parameters. Here, the random circuit breaker (RCB) model is implemented and the dependence of the forming, Set, and Reset voltages on the oxide thickness and defect percentage is compared with experimental data. Only the forming voltage increases with the thickness, showing that, after the first step, the conductive filament formation and rupture occur only at a thinner thickness. It is observed that a higher percentage of initial conductive defects in the oxide layer promotes the forming step.

Effects of process variables on the quality and mechanical properties of 18%Ni-M350 maraging steel produced by direct energy deposition laser additive manufacturing

The characteristics, defects formation and mechanical properties of 18 wt% Ni M350 maraging (18%Ni M350) steel produced by the powder direct energy deposition (DED-p) laser additive manufacturing process is studied. Using a response surface methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD), the relationships between the DED-p process parameters and the resultant single-bead characteristic of the alloy are established. Mathematical models based on second-order polynomials are developed for predicting the bead aspect ratio and the percentage of dilution between the deposit and the base material, which are crucial for producing the bulk-multilayer additive-manufactured material. Multi-layer deposits of the 18%Ni M350 material are produced using optimized process parameters. X-ray computed tomography is used to study the extent of defects formation in the multi-layer material. The results show that the morphology, volume percent and size of defects during the DED-p process are controlled by the laser energy density. In particular, the morphology of defects is found to change from irregular lack-of-fusion defects to spherical gas porosity and keyhole porosity as the energy density increases from ∼14 J/mm2 to 48 J/mm2. A set of process parameters is achieved that significantly minimized the defects to produce high-density additive-manufactured material. Furthermore, the influence of the defects morphology in the 18%Ni-M350 material produced by DED-p on the tensile properties in as-processed and heat-treated conditions is evaluated and discussed in this paper.

Effects of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in children with cystic fibrosis – a comprehensive assessment using lung clearance index, spirometry, and functional and structural lung MRI

With improvement in supportive therapies and the introduction of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-modulator treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), milder disease courses are expected. Therefore, sensitive parameters are needed to monitor disease course and effects of CFTR-modulators. Functional lung MRI using matrix-pencil decomposition (MP-MRI) is a promising tool for assessing ventilation and perfusion quantitatively. This study aimed to assess the treatment effect of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination regimen (ELX/TEZ/IVA) on measures of structural and functional lung abnormalities. 24 children with CF underwent lung function tests (multiple breath washout, spirometry), functional and structural MRI twice (one year apart) before and once after at least two weeks (mean 4.7±2.6 months) on ELX/TEZ/IVA. Main outcomes were changes (Δ) upon ELX/TEZ/IVA in lung function, defect percentage of ventilation (VDP) and perfusion (QDP), defect distribution index of ventilation and perfusion (DDIV, DDIQ), and Eichinger score. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests and multilevel regression models with bootstrapping. We observed a significant improvement in lung function, structural and functional MRI parameters upon ELX/TEZ/IVA treatment (mean; 95%-CI): ΔLCI2.5 (TO) -0.84 (-1.62 to -0.06); ΔFEV1 (z-score) 1.05 (0.56 to 1.55); ΔVDP (% of impairment) -6.00 (-8.44 to -3.55); ΔQDP (% of impairment) -3.90 (-5.90 to -1.90); ΔDDIV -1.38 (-2.22 to -0.53); ΔDDIQ -0.31 (-0.73 to 0.12); ΔEichinger score -3.89 (-5.05 to -2.72). Besides lung function tests, functional and structural MRI is a suitable tool to monitor treatment response of ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy, and seems promising as outcome marker in the future.

ANALYSIS OF DEFECTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FOR THE DECEASED WITHIN 24 HOURS FOLLOWING ADMISSION.

The aim: To conduct the analysis of medical records with the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury for the deceased within 24 hours following admission to Clinical Emergency Hospital. Materials and methods: The study was aimed at a retrospective analysis of 102 cases of the lethality of the deceased within 24 hours following admission to Clinical Emergency Hospital for 2012-2019 in cases of traumatic brain injury. Medical histories of the deceased and data from the forensic autopsy had been analyzed. Results: There were 62 cases (60.8%) of isolated traumatic brain injury, and 40 cases (39.2%) of combined traumatic brain injury. The following defects were identified in the diagnosis: absence of a complete description of the local status with external injuries on the head, absence of a complete and qualitative assess¬ment and objectification of hemodynamics and the function of external breathing using laboratory indicators and electrocardiography, absence of neuroimaging. Conclusions: The percentage of diagnostic defects prevailed among traumatic brain injury patients who died from acute blood loss. The maximum number of diagnostic defects for the patients with traumatic brain injury was observed in the polytrauma department, and the minimum - in the neurological department. The maximum number of defects of a diagnostic nature as a whole fall on those patients who were admitted to the hospital in the interval I - 6:00 a.m. - 9:59 a.m. and in the interval IV - 6:00 p.m. - 9:59 p.m.

Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Elderly, the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study.

Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for chronic and atherosclerotic vascular disease that causes preventable considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study is aimed at comparing inflammation and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in elderly subjects. The authors recruited the participants (1281 older adults) from the Birjand Longitudinal of Aging study. They measured oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers serum levels in the 101 cigarettes and 1180 nonsmokers. The mean age of smokers was 69.3 ± 7.95 years, and most were male. The most percentage of male cigarette smokers have lower body mass index (BMI) (≤19 kg/m2). Females have higher BMI categories than males (P ≤ 0.001). The percentage of diseases and defects was different between cigarette and non-cigarette smoker adults (P ≤ 0.01 to P ≤ 0.001). The total white blood cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils were significantly higher in cigarettes compared to non-cigarette smokers (P ≤ 0.001). Besides, cigarette consumers' percentage of hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to other aged people was significantly different (P ≤ 0.001). However, biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant levels were not significant differences between the two senior groups. Cigarette smoking in older adults was associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers and cells, but it did not find a significant difference in oxidative stress markers. Longitudinal prospective studies may help illuminate the mechanisms inducing oxidative stress and inflammation due to cigarette smoking in each gender.