Cut-off Range Research Articles

Postponing Distillability Sudden Death in a Correlated Dephasing Channel.

We investigated the dynamics of a two-qutrit system in a correlated quantum channel. The partial correlations between consecutive actions of the channel can effectively postpone the phenomenon of distillability sudden death (DSD) and broaden the range of the time cutoff that indicates entanglement of the positive partial transpose states. Particularly, the negativity of the system will revive and DSD will disappear in the fully correlated channel.

Expression of tumor pyruvate kinase M2 isoform in plasma and stool of patients with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps

BackgroundTumor pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (tM2-PK), which is an isoform of PK-glycolytic enzyme and appears on the surface of cancerous proliferating cells, has been used as a diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the tM2-PK measurement test for the diagnosis of CRCs and adenomatous polyps in plasma and stool samples in an Iranian population.MethodsIn this prospective study, a total of 226 stool and 178 plasma samples were received from patients referred to colonoscopy units. tM2-PK enzyme was measured using two separate ScheBo-Biotech-AG ELISA kits for stool and plasma samples.ResultsAccording to ROC curves, in the tumor group, at the cut-off value of 4 U/ml, the sensitivity of fecal tM2-PK test was 100% and the specificity was 68%, and in the polyp group, the sensitivity and specificity were 87 and 68%, respectively. For tumor detection in plasma specimens, a cut-off value > 25 U/ml has a sensitivity and specificity of 90.9 and 91.3%, respectively. Similarly, for polyp detection, a cut-off value > 19 U/ml has a sensitivity of 96.3% and the specificity of 85.5%.ConclusionsBased on our results, a cut-off range of 4.8–8 U/ml and > 8 U/ml could be used to detect polyp and tumor in stool samples, respectively. Similarly, a cut-off range of 19–25 U/ml and > 25 U/ml is recommended in plasma samples, suggesting tM2-PK test as a non-invasive assay to diagnose CRC and adenomatous polyps.

Transport Properties of the Simple Lennard-Jones/Spline Fluid I: Binary Scattering and High-Accuracy Low-Density Transport Coefficients

Inspired by recent work on the thermodynamic properties of the Lennard-Jones/spline (LJ/s) fluid, we have considered the transport properties of the simple LJ/s fluid. The binary scattering problem for LJ/s particles was solved numerically, and results were compared to the untruncated LJ fluid. The scattering dynamics are affected both by the restricted range of the LJ/s potential, and the stronger attraction between LJ/s particles at distances between the inflection point of the potential and the cutoff range. At small relative kinetic energies, it was found that the scattering cross section of the LJ/s particles is much smaller than that of the LJ particles. The shear viscosity, thermal conductivity, and the self-diffusion coefficient were calculated from the scattering cross sections by the Chapman-Enskog method, and a six-parameter equation with a worst case accuracy of roughly 1 % over the temperature interval [0.1,1000] in LJ units is provided. The smaller scattering cross section at low kinetic energies leads to transport coefficients of the LJ/s fluid to be greater than those of the LJ fluid at low temperatures, and were all found to be roughly 50 % greater at T = 0.1, which is the lowest temperature considered.

A novel low-cobalt long-life LiNi0.88Co0.06Mn0.03Al0.03O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Compared to the fossil-fuelled cars, developing a high-safety, low-cost, long-life lithium ion battery with higher energy density is critical important to enhance the market acceptance of electric vehicles. Herein, a novel quaternary low-cobalt LiNi0.88Co0.06Mn0.03Al0.03O2 cathode material (NCMA-ZB) is rationally designed and synthesized by a two-step modification of Zr-doping and LiBO2-coating for the first time. Impressively, the two-step modified NCMA-ZB cathode exhibits greatly improved long-term cycling performance, voltage fading, high-temperature performance and safety performance. Further studies demonstrate that the two-step modification of Zr-doping and LiBO2-coating can remarkably strengthen the structural stability during the cell cycling. In addition, the thermal decomposition temperature of the modified NCMA-ZB cathode is increased by ∼8 ℃. Finally, the coin cells assembled by the as-prepared NCMA-ZB cathodes show a discharge specific capacity of 211.7 mAh g−1 and an initial coulombic efficiency of 89.0% at 0.1 C and 25 ℃ with a cut-off voltage range of 3.0–4.3 V. The corresponding capacity retention reaches 98.1% after 50 cycles at 1C. It additionally provides significantly improved high-temperature electrochemical performance of capacity retention of 97.8% after 50 cycles at 45 ℃. Moreover, the 18650-type cylindrical full cell configured with NCMA-ZB as the cathode obtains capacity retention of 95.8% after 1000 cycles at 1 C at 2.75–4.2 V.

Single-layer BSA-NH<sub>2</sub>/PNIPAAm membrane with modulated lipase biocatalytic reaction

Biocatalysis, utilizing enzymes or live microbial cultures to catalyze or speed up specific or cascade reactions, has broad applications in the manufacturing of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemical intermediates. However, how to effectively adjust the biocatalytic process and the dose of enzymes during the reaction becomes one intriguing issue to be addressed. Smart porous membranes are desirable candidates for regulating substance permeability, which provides the possibility to adjust the biocatalysis. Herein, inspired by the temperature-sensitive stomatal size of plant leaves, we prepare a free-standing single-layer membrane through the self-assembly at oil-water interface, which is composed of thermosensitive amphiphilic protein-polymer conjugates, i.e., BSA-NH2/PNIPAAm (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)). The membrane thickness is only about 4 nm, with a wide range of molecular cut-offs by tuning the molecular weight of PNIPAAm. Moreover, by virtue of the property of PNIPAAm, the pore size of the membrane could be tunable by changing temperature, through which the catalytic reaction of triglyceride by lipase was successfully controlled. Taken together, this work not only provides a simple method for preparing single-layer protein hybrid membranes, but also offers great potential applications in the controlled biocatalysis, smart gating systems and molecular separation.

THU0095 IMPACT OF BASELINE EROSION SCORE ON RESPONSE TO TREATMENT AND FUTURE RADIOLOGICAL DAMAGE IN AVERT-2, A RANDOMISED PHASE IIIB STUDY OF ABATACEPT IN MTX-NAÏVE, ANTI-CITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODY–POSITIVE (ACPA+) PATIENTS WITH EARLY RA

Background: Bone erosions are associated with poor prognosis in patients (pts) with RA. They can be associated with subclinical inflammation and independently predict future radiological damage.1 The Phase IIIb Assessing Very Early RA Treatment (AVERT)-2 (NCT02504268) trial evaluated abatacept (ABA)+MTX in MTX-naive, ACPA+ pts with early RA.2 Objectives: To explore the impact of baseline (BL) X-ray erosion scores (ES) on clinical response and future radiological damage over 1 yr in different groups of pts from AVERT-2. Methods: BL and Wk 52 X-ray data were evaluated using Sharp/van der Heijde score. SDAI remission rates (RRs; ≤3.3), unadjusted mean changes from BL (CfB) and duration of/time to sustained remission over 52 wks were evaluated. Radiographic progression was assessed at Wk 52 using CfB in ES. A range of BL ES cut-offs were evaluated to highlight key findings through comparison of pts with low and high ES. Results: Of 994 pts in the study, 964 (97%) had BL (median 2.0, interquartile range [IQR] 0.5–5.1) and 792 (80%) had BL and Wk 52 (median 2.5, IQR 1.0–6.5) ES. Results in Table 1 are based on ES cut-offs of 2 and 5, resulting in 53% and 75%, respectively, of pts in low ES groups. In pts who received ABA+MTX, those with low ES had higher SDAI RRs over 52 wks vs pts with high ES. The relationship was more pronounced for higher cut-offs. This was not observed with ABA placebo+MTX (MTX). Greater reduction of mean CfB in SDAI was achieved in pts with high vs low ES who received ABA+MTX. This was not observed with MTX. Pts who received ABA+MTX had longer duration and shorter time to sustained SDAI remission vs MTX. With ABA+MTX, pts with low ES had longer duration and shorter time to sustained SDAI remission vs high ES. This was not observed with MTX. Mean CfB in ES at Wk 52 was lower in the ABA+MTX arm vs the MTX arm. ABA seemed to equally protect pts with low and high ES; with MTX, pts with high ES had higher mean CfB in ES at Wk 52 than pts with low ES. Conclusion: This erosion-based stratification of the AVERT-2 early seropositive RA population emphasizes the importance of treating pts prior to the accumulation of erosive disease. Abatacept+MTX led to higher SDAI RRs in pts with low vs high ES and provided further protection vs MTX alone against future radiological damage in pts with high ES. Additional statistical modelling and adjustment for confounding factors at BL is warranted.

THU0109 DOES HIGH BASELINE LEVEL OF MATRIX METALLPROTEINASES 3 (MMP3) INDICATE MORE MTP5 JOINT EROSIONS IN EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS? (THE 2-YEAR PROSPECTIVE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STUDY)

Background:The serum MMP3 level is considered biomarker which reflects local inflammation of joints and correlates with joint damage progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (1).Objectives:To investigate the association of high baseline MMP3 serum levels with bone erosion finding at the level of typical location for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with early, treatment “naïve” RA, who has no radiographic visible erosions, using ultrasound method (US).Methods:Sixty-three pts. (9 males and 54 females; mean age 53.4 yrs 21-81 ± 14.1) with early RA according to EULAR/ACR 2010 criteria and symptom duration of ≤12 months (mean duration of 3.8 months) had baseline serum MMP3 levels tested. Serum levels of soluble MMP3 were performed blindly, without knowledge of the US data at the basal visit only, using the recommended normal cut-off range (a level above normal was rated as positive). Patients had been DMARDs/glucocorticoid naïve, with no visible X-ray erosions at the study entry. The lateral, dorsal and posterior part of styloid, MCP2, MCP5 and MTP5 joints of both side, were analyzed for presence of bone erosion (yes/no), according to OMERACT US group definition, using high frequency linear probe by ESAOTE My Lab 70 machine at baseline visit and after 24 months.Results:The 50 pts completed follow-up. 46 pts. had basal serum MMP3 level higher than normal (MMP3 +, mean value 185.1±241.0). US bone erosions were present in 55/63 (87.3%) pts, most often in MTP5 joints, both at the study entry and after 24 months of follow up (25 pts-39.6% and 32 pts-64% respectively). At baseline visit no significant difference was found between a group of MMP3+ and MMP3- pts. regarding to US bone erosion presence at the level of all analyzed joints (styloid process: 12 MMP3+/4 MMP3- pts.; p=0.836; MCP2: 14 MMP3+/6 MMP3- pts., p=0.713; MCP5:8 MMP3+/0 MMP3- pts, p=0.06; MTP5: 26 MMP3+/11 MMP3- pts, p=0.55). After 24 months, significant difference was found between a group of MMP3+ and negative pts for MTP5 US bone erosions finding (33 MMP3+/ 6 MMP3- pts, p=0.03) only, (styloid process:21 MMP3+/5 MMP3- pts, p=0.623; MCP2: 26 MMP3+/7 MMP3- pts, p=0.851, MCP5: 14 MMP3+/2 MMP3- pts, p=0.266).Conclusion:In our group of RA patients without initial X-ray changes, the high baseline serum level of MMP3 was significantly correlated with new MTP5 bone erosions by US after 2-year of follow-up.

Introducing the ImPACT-5: An Empirically Derived Multivariate Validity Composite

To create novel Immediate Post-Concussion and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT)-based embedded validity indicators (EVIs) and to compare the classification accuracy to 4 existing EVIImPACT. The ImPACT was administered to 82 male varsity football players during preseason baseline cognitive testing. The classification accuracy of existing EVIImPACT was compared with a newly developed index (ImPACT-5A and B). The ImPACT-5A represents the number of cutoffs failed on the 5 ImPACT composite scores at a liberal cutoff (0.85 specificity); ImPACT-5B is the sum of failures on conservative cutoffs (≥0.90 specificity). ImPACT-5A ≥1 was sensitive (0.81), but not specific (0.49) to invalid performance, consistent with EVIImPACT developed by independent researchers (0.68 sensitivity at 0.73-0.75 specificity). Conversely, ImPACT-5B ≥3 was highly specific (0.98), but insensitive (0.22), similar to Default EVIImPACT (0.04 sensitivity at 1.00 specificity). ImPACT-5A ≥3 or ImPACT-5B ≥2 met forensic standards of specificity (0.91-0.93) at 0.33 to 0.37 sensitivity. Also, the ImPACT-5s had the strongest linear relationship with clinically meaningful levels of invalid performance of existing EVIImPACT. The ImPACT-5s were superior to the standard EVIImPACT and comparable to existing aftermarket EVIImPACT, with the flexibility to optimize the detection model for either sensitivity or specificity. The wide range of ImPACT-5 cutoffs allows for a more nuanced clinical interpretation.

Translational relevance of androgen receptor immunohistochemistry scoring systems for data harmonization in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

1078 Background: Androgen receptor (AR) expressing triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a sub-set of TNBC with an evolving prognostic and predictive behaviour. AR immunohistochemical threshold for positivity has not been standardized and a wide range of cut-offs have been used across studies ( > 0% to 75%). In this study we explored AR immunohistochemistry thresholds in relation to disease free survival (DFS) and clinical outcomes in non-metastatic TNBC using the Allred and H-Score systems. Increasing interest in AR as a therapeutic target for TNBC and the use of digital tissue image analysis makes it important to standardize AR immunohistochemistry reporting. Methods: 100 FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) tumour blocks were retrieved for non-metastatic TNBCs diagnosed between January 2015 and May 2017 and immunostained using AR441 (IgG1) mouse monoclonal antibody. Clinical follow-up ranged from 59 to 31 months and DFS was calculated. Cut-off scores were explored using Evaluate Cutpoints ( R maxstat package) and X-tile software. The score with maximum split in DFS (based on log-rank statistics and lowest p-value) was chosen as the cut-off. Descriptive and survival statistics was performed. Results: The median age was 51 (SD 11.262; range 28 to 82) years. Using Evaluate Cutpoints ≥3 was found as the threshold for AR by Allred Score. 36% cases were AR positive using Allred score (HR 0.508; CI 0.234 - 1.11; p-value 0.08). Using Evaluate Cutpoints ≥30 was found as the threshold for AR by H-Score (HR 0.624, CI 0.306 - 1.27; p-value 0.19). 35% cases were AR positive using H-Score. X-tile analysis also found the cut-offs as ≥3 and ≥30 for Allred and H-Score respectively (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was seen between the two scoring systems (Pearson Correlation 0.935; p < 0.01). A significantly higher number of grade III TNBCs were AR negative (n = 55/76) compared to grade II (n = 9/24) (p = 0.002). Cut-off for Ki67 was 75 (HR 1.61, CI 0.85-3.04, p-value 0.141) with a significantly higher number of AR negatives in the Ki67≥75 group (21/26; p < 0.05). The overall median DFS was 51.9 months. There was no significant difference in DFS for the AR negative (median: 47.4 months; mean: 39.39 months) and AR positive (Median survival not reached; mean: 41.3 months) groups(p = 0.23). Conclusions: AR immunohistochemistry cut-offs using the Allred (≥3) and H-Score (≥30) are close to the ones used for ER/PR immunohistochemistry as per ASCO/CAP guidelines, making a strong case for universal application of these systems for harmonization of AR data.

Removing the Wigner bound in non-perturbative effective field theory

The Wigner bound, setting an upper limit on the scattering effective range, is examined at different orders of contact effective field theory. Using cutoff regulator we show that the bound loosens when higher orders of the theory are considered. For a sharp and Gaussian regulators, we conjecture an analytic formula for the dependence of the Wigner bound on the theory's order. It follows that the bound vanishes in the limit of infinite order. Using a concrete numerical example we demonstrate that the above surmise still holds after renormalization at finite cutoff. Studying the 3-body system with this example, we have found that limiting the permissible range of cutoffs by the Wigner bound, we avoid the Thomas collapse, and don't need to promote the 3-body force to leading order.

Hospital-Based Preliminary Observations of Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Saudi Patients with Colorectal Polyps: A Call for Nutrition Care Integration after Polypectomy Procedure

Aim: In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. Lifestyle modification, including diet and physical activity, is as important as the standard procedure of colonoscopy screening in reducing CRC development. I explored the dietary intake, physical activity, and selected nutritional biomarkers in Saudi patients with colorectal polyps, a precursor of CRC. Methods: Thirty polypectomy patients (aged 35–84 years) were recruited from an endoscopy unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Demographic, anthropometric, physical activity, and food frequency data were collected. Plasma C-reactive protein, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and folate levels were measured. Results: The median body mass index (BMI) of the patients was within the overweight cut-off range. The median consumption of carbohydrate and protein was within the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Median fat consumption was above the RDA, while median fiber intake was below the RDA. Patients met the recommended servings/day of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein but exceeded the recommended intake of fats and sweets. Most patients were non-active, with an inadequate level of serum vitamin D. Conclusion: We observed several risk factors previously associated with CRC, including low levels of physical activity, serum vitamin D, and fiber intake, and high BMI and fat intake among polypectomy patients.

All ANIs are not created equal: implications for prokaryotic species boundaries and integration of ANIs into polyphasic taxonomy.

In prokaryotic taxonomy, a set of criteria is commonly used to delineate species. These criteria are generally based on cohesion at the phylogenetic, phenotypic and genomic levels. One such criterion shown to have promise in the genomic era is average nucleotide identity (ANI), which provides an average measure of similarity across homologous regions shared by a pair of genomes. However, despite the popularity and relative ease of using this metric, ANI has undergone numerous refinements, with variations in genome fragmentation, homologue detection parameters and search algorithms. To test the robustness of a 95-96 % species cut-off range across all the commonly used ANI approaches, seven different methods were used to calculate ANI values for intra- and interspecies datasets representing three classes in the Proteobacteria. As a reference point, these methods were all compared to the widely used blast-based ANI (i.e. ANIb as implemented in JSpecies), and regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation of these methods to ANIb with more than 130000 individual data points. From these analyses, it was clear that ANI methods did not provide consistent results regarding the conspecificity of isolates. Most of the methods investigated did not correlate perfectly with ANIb, particularly between 90 and 100% identity, which includes the proposed species boundary. There was also a difference in the correlation of methods for the different taxon sets. Our study thus suggests that the specific approach employed needs to be considered when ANI is used to delineate prokaryotic species. We furthermore suggest that one would first need to determine an appropriate cut-off value for a specific taxon set, based on the intraspecific diversity of that group, before conclusions on conspecificity of isolates can be made, and that the resulting species hypotheses be confirmed with analyses based on evolutionary history as part of the polyphasic approach to taxonomy.

Genome-scale approach to study the genetic relatedness among Brucella melitensis strains.

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease that affects both humans and animals. To date, laboratory surveillance is still essentially based on the traditional MLVA-16 methodology and the associated epidemiological information is frequently scarce. Our goal was to contribute to the improvement of Brucella spp. surveillance through the implementation of a whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach. We created a curated ready-to-use species-specific wgMLST scheme enrolling a panel of 2656 targets (http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3575026) and used this schema to perform a retrospective analysis of the genetic relatedness among B. melitensis strains causing human infection in Portugal (a country where brucellosis is an endemic disease) from 2010 to 2018. The strains showed a phylogenetic clustering within genotype II (25 out of 36) and IV (4 out of 36), and shared clades with strains isolated from countries with which Portugal has intense food trading, tourism and similar eating habits, such as Spain, Italy and Greece. In addition, our results point to the identification of strong associations between B. melitensis strains, likely underlying missed “outbreaks” as 22 out of the 36 strains showed genetic linkage with others. In fact, the applied gene-by-gene approach grouped these strains into six genetic clusters each one containing putative epidemiological links. Nevertheless, more studies will be needed in order to define the appropriate range of cut-offs (probable non-static cut-offs) that best illustrate the association between genetic linkage and epidemiological information and may serve as alerts for the health authorities. The release of this freely available and scalable schema contributes to the required technological transition for laboratorial surveillance of brucellosis and will facilitate the assessment of ongoing and future outbreaks in order to prevent the transmission spread.

SUN-255 THE EFFECT OF HEMODIALYSIS ON HscTnI LEVELS AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC CKD PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN DAVAO CITY

Mild chest pains or discomforts occur in 1 to 4% of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis (HD). Cardiac Troponins play a pivotal role in the diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Chronic HD patients have increased cardiac troponins that may not be due to ACS, but subclinical myocardial damage. Interpretation of cardiac troponin assay among these patients constitutes a big challenge. Equally important is to know the behavior of troponins during HD. To date, it has not been clearly elucidated whether HD can affect the level of cardiac troponins1,2,3. Literatures showed that HD decreases the level of cardiac troponins immediately post procedure2,5, while others have shown an increase6. Such ambiguity makes clinicians more confused in interpreting cardiac troponin among CKD patients. This study aims to determine the effect of HD in high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (HscTnI) levels among CKD patients and identify factors that are potential sources of variability that can affect the interpretation of HscTnI. This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital. 44 asymptomatic CKD patients on maintenance HD were enrolled. Sampling was purposive. Exclusion criteria included HD vintage of less than 6 months, critical illness, infection, myocardial infarction in the last 30 days, and coronary angioplasty or cardiac surgery in the last 12 months. Pre-HD and immediate post-Hd HscTnI were measured using HscTnI ARCHITECTSTAT assay by Abbott. Demographic data, ultrafiltration coefficient of membranes either hi-flux or low-flux, and the frequency of membrane dialyzer reuse were noted. 23/44 (52%) of the study population had elevated pre-HD HscTnI based on the cut-off range provided by the manufacturer. Comparative analysis using paired T-test to determine significant difference between pre- and post-HD HscTnI showed that pre-HD HscTnI is higher (M=60.96, SD=75.64) than post-HD levels (M=60.65, SD=78.06), with a 0.16 ng/L difference. Paired T-test result showed that the difference is not significant (p value=0.9) at 5% level of significance. We regrouped patients according to their type of membrane dialyzer (Hi-flux and Low-flux). Many from low-flux group had decreased HscTnI post-HD than in the hi-flux group, contrary to what was expected. Hi-Flux membranes are supposed to clear macromolecules better. Further investigation found that most in the hi-flux group reused their dialyzer membranes 3-6x, while most membranes in the low-flux group were new. Analysis using Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed a significant correlation between the number of usage of dialyzer to the change in the level of HscTnI post HD (Table 3). A comparative analysis using T-test for two proportions also found a significant correlation between single use membrane dialyzer and decrease in the level of HscTnI post-HD. Hemodialysis, in general, did not significantly affect the levels of HscTnI. Frequency of membrane reuse is a factor that affects HD performance and clearance of HscTnI. The more frequency of dialyzer reuse, the lesser the clearance of HscTnI.

When the liver gets stiff, the tough get moving.

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by FibroScan-determined transient elastography is a noninvasive approach to estimate liver fibrosis severity. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), advanced liver fibrosis is excluded by normal liver stiffness, but a wide range of cutoffs have been used to predict advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. This may be partly because steatosis (measured by controlled attenuation parameter [CAP]) contributes to liver stiffness and also because LSM fluctuates in NAFLD. In a recent pivotal study, one-third of patients with liver stiffness >12.0kPa showed reversal after 4-6months; these cases did not have advanced liver fibrosis on biopsy. We performed serial FibroScans 6-36months apart in 73 NAFLD patients, 38 with LSM>10kPa at entry. Those who lost ≥1kg of weight (n=31) significantly reduced liver stiffness (3.6±6.1 vs 0.53±4.1kPa, P<0.05) and CAP score (39±63dB/m of loss vs 24±65dB/m of gain, P<0.05) compared with those who did not (n=29). Patients who reported increased physical activity (n=25) also reduced liver stiffness (3.6±6 vs 0.35±6kPa) and CAP (20±71dB/m of loss vs 32±71dB/m of gain). Overall, those with improved LSM were significantly more likely to have lost weight and/or improved physical activity. These effects of lifestyle adjustments partly explain why a single measurement of 12.0kPa is not a reliable cutoff for advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD. In addition to repeating the study after 6-12months, documentation of response to lifestyle advice and weight reduction should be determined before assuming any cutoff indicates advanced liver fibrosis. Despite this reservation about diagnostic accuracy, we consider that measurement of liver stiffness and CAP score serve to motivate patients to enact lifestyle modifications that can improve NAFLD severity.

Experimental Study of Magneto-Acoustic Resonance in the System of a Ferrite Circuit

The effect of magneto-acoustic resonance is studied experimentally in the system of a ferrite circuit. The strong effect the resonant circuit has on the quality of magneto-acoustic resonance is determined. The effect of autogeneration can be used for experimental investigations of nonlinear ferromagnetic resonance in the far cutoff range in the primary and secondary resonances in a ferrite sample.

Comparison between OSEM and FBP reconstruction algorithms for the qualitative and quantitative interpretation of brain DAT-SPECT using an anthropomorphic striatal phantom: implications for the practice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ordered subsets maximization expectation (OSEM) and filtered backprojection (FBP) reconstruction algorithms for the qualitative interpretation of DAT-SPECT. Data were acquired using an anthropomorphic striatal phantom and a gamma camera (SPECT/CT). Images were reconstructed using different values of the covariates applied in the OSEM and FBP algorithms (iteration, subsets, order, and cut-off frequency). Image quality was compared according to each set of covariates used in the reconstruction and extracted quantitative parameters of the image quality, such as C, CV RCR, and RSR, as well as the angular coefficients of the edges in regions of interest. Variations in the order from 0 to 10 do not influence the image if a trustworthy cut-off frequency range for FBP (0.9 to 1.6) and OSEM (1.2 to 1.5) are used. For OSEM, the iteration value and the number of subsets that guarantee better quality were those suggested by the developer of the algorithm used (3i8s). For a quality image, it is necessary to use the range of values found for the covariables order and cut-off frequency of the Butterworth filter in the FBP and OSEM reconstruction. OSEM reconstruction shows superiority in the images compared with FBP when the recommended three iterations and eight subsets are used. In the quantitative analyses, the evaluation showed that increasing the number of updates while allowing a better distinction of certain areas, culminates with a degradation image, making it inappropriate for clinical.

Lens transmittance shapes ultraviolet sensitivity in the eyes of frogs from diverse ecological and phylogenetic backgrounds.

The amount of short wavelength (ultraviolet (UV), violet and blue) light that reaches the retina depends on the transmittance properties of the ocular media, especially the lens, and varies greatly across species in all vertebrate groups studied previously. We measured the lens transmittance in 32 anuran amphibians with different habits, geographical distributions and phylogenetic positions and used them together with eye size and pupil shape to evaluate the relationship with diel activity pattern, elevation and latitude. We found an unusually high lens UV transmittance in the most basal species, and a cut-off range that extends into the visible spectrum for the rest of the sample, with lenses even absorbing violet light in some diurnal species. However, other diurnal frogs had lenses that transmit UV light like the nocturnal species. This unclear pattern in the segregation of ocular media transmittance and diel activity is shared with other vertebrates and is consistent with the absence of significant correlations in our statistical analyses. Although we did not detect a significant phylogenetic effect, closely related species tend to have similar transmittances, irrespective of whether they share the same diel pattern or not, suggesting that anuran ocular media transmittance properties might be related to phylogeny.

On the tonehole lattice cutoff frequency of conical resonators: applications to the saxophone

The tonehole lattice cutoff frequency is a well-known feature of woodwind instruments. However, most analytic studies of the cutoff have focused on cylindrical instruments due to their relative geometric simplicity. Here, the tonehole lattice cutoff frequency of conical instruments such as the saxophone is studied analytically, using a generalization of the framework developed for cylindrical resonators. First, a definition of local cutoff of a conical tonehole lattice is derived and used to design “acoustically regular” resonators with determinate cutoff frequencies. The study is then expanded to an acoustically irregular lattice: a saxophone resonator, of known input impedance and geometry. Because the lattices of real instruments are acoustically irregular, different methods of analysis are developed. These methods, derived from either acoustic (input impedance) or geometric (tonehole geometry) measurements, are used to determine the tonehole lattice cutoff frequency of conical resonators. Each method provides a slightly different estimation of the tonehole lattice cutoff for each fingering, and the range of cutoffs across the first register is interpreted as the acoustic irregularity of the lattice. It is shown that, in contrast with many other woodwind instruments, the cutoff frequency of a saxophone decreases significantly from the high to low notes of the first register.

Cut-off ranges of infliximab serum levels in Crohn's disease in the clinical practice.

between 30 % and 40 % of patients treated with infliximab lose response during maintenance. Therapeutic drug monitoring could be used to optimize management in these situations. However, infliximab serum levels are not well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off range of infliximab serum levels in Crohn's disease patients in remission in the clinical practice. an observational retrospective study was performed from 2016 to 2017. Patients were included with established Crohn's disease, who had been on a maintenance dose schedule of infliximab. Infliximab levels and antibodies to infliximab were measured at least twice in all patients, after induction and after six months of treatment. Clinical remission was defined as ≤ 4 using the Harvey-Bradshaw index. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the results. one hundred and five Crohn's disease patients were included in the study; 57.1 % were male with a mean age of 39 years (SD ± 12.9). The median (range) time of the disease was eleven years (7-15) and the median (range) time of follow-up was 32 months (22-38). Patients who achieved remission had infliximab serum levels between 4.26-8.26 ug/ml versus 0.06-1.43 ug/ml in patients who did not achieve remission after induction. Infliximab serum levels were 2.84-7.75 ug/ml and 0.05-2.69 ug/ml in patients who achieved remission versus those who did not achieve remission after six months of treatment. Overall, 4.26-8.26 ug/ml was found to be the best cut-off range for remission. in our clinical practice, serum levels of infliximab in Crohn's disease patients should be higher than 4 ug/ml to achieve clinical remission.