Increased Signal Intensity Research Articles

Effect of matrix temperature on the LIBS signal of Au

Significant increases in signal intensity, signal quality, ablation and plasma electron density were observed for the gold element as the sample temperature increased, but the plasma temperature decreased.

Fluorescence-based chemical tools for monitoring ultrasound-induced hydroxyl radical production in aqueous solution and in cells.

We report the synthesis of hydroxyl-radical (˙OH) responsive fluorescent probes that utilise the 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl (DHB) functionality. 4-Methylumbeliferone-DHB (Umb-DHB) and resorufin-DHB (Res-DHB) in the presence of ˙OH radicals resulted in significant increases in their respective fluorescent emission intensities at 460 nm and 585 nm. The incubation of Res-DHB in HeLa cells followed by therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz) resulted in a significant increase in fluorescence emission intensity thus permitting the ability to monitor ultrasound-induced ˙OH production in live cells.

IMPROVING CARBON DOTS OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MOLASSES USING EDTA AS A PASSIVATION AGENT WITH THE MICROWAVE METHOD

Synthesis of carbon dots from molasses using the microwave method with the addition of EDTA as a passivation agent has been carried out. Addition of EDTA to improve the optical properties of the carbon dots. The resulting carbon dots were characterized by UV, UV-Visible, PL, FTIR, and TEM lamps. A physical test of carbon dots under a UV lamp showed a change in light intensity, carbon dots with the addition of a passivation agent were brighter than those without a passivation agent. Analysis of the optical properties of carbon dots using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence showed a significant increase in absorbance intensity and emission intensity from 500 a.u to 3600 a.u. FTIR analysis shows the formation of carbon dots which are indicated by the presence of C=C, O-H, C-H, C-O-C, and C-N groups at certain wavenumbers. TEM analysis showed that the carbon dots produced had an average diameter of 1.8 nm. From the analysis, it is identified that the addition of EDTA can improve carbon dots’ optical properties.

Decoupling of the anode and cathode ultrasonic responses to the state of charge of a lithium-ion battery.

An ultrasonic method for lithium-ion battery (LIB) state of charge (SoC) estimation is a promising emerging technology which may largely improve the SoC estimation accuracy. Previously, it was unknown whether the SoC change induced ultrasonic signal change originated from the anode or the cathode, because the thicknesses of cathodes, anodes and separators are much smaller than the ultrasonic wavelength, which makes it impossible to decouple the anodic and cathodic influence. To quantitatively solve the above problem, we have designed a special half-cell architecture with an extra-thick separator (675 μm) to study the reflected ultrasonic signal. The thickened separator would significantly delay the reflection of ultrasonic waves from the counter-electrode (Li), so that the influence of the working electrode (LiFePO4 or graphite) on the ultrasonic wave can be studied separately. As a result, in the Gr anode, the time of flight (ToF) of the ultrasonic wave decreases with SoC, the changing rate coefficient of which is in the range of -110 to -70 ps μmGr thickness-1, depending on the compact density. A lower compact density electrode leads to a more significant ultrasonic ToF decrease and intensity increase while in the LFP cathode, the ToF increases with SoC, the changing rate coefficient of which is in the range of 15-43 ps μmLFP thickness-1. The ToF change of the transmitted ultrasound through multilayered LIB matches very well with the sum of the ToF change in each electrode measured with our half-cells.

Performance upgrade of a microbial explosives’ sensor strain by screening a high throughput saturation library of a transcriptional regulator

We present a methodology for a high-throughput screening (HTS) of transcription factor libraries, based on bacterial cells and GFP fluorescence. The method is demonstrated on the Escherichia coli LysR-type transcriptional regulator YhaJ, a key element in 2,4-dinitrotuluene (DNT) detection by bacterial explosives’ sensor strains. Enhancing the performance characteristics of the YhaJ transcription factor is essential for future standoff detection of buried landmines. However, conventional directed evolution methods for modifying YhaJ are limited in scope, due to the vast sequence space and the absence of efficient screening methods to select optimal transcription factor mutants. To overcome this limitation, we have constructed a focused saturation library of ca. 6.4 × 107 yhaJ variants, and have screened over 70 % of its sequence space using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Through this screening process, we have identified YhaJ mutants exhibiting superior fluorescence responses to DNT, which were then effectively transformed into a bioluminescence-based DNT detection system. The best modified DNT reporter strain demonstrated a 7-fold lower DNT detection threshold, a 45-fold increased signal intensity, and a 40 % shorter response time compared to the parental bioreporter. The FACS-based HTS approach presented here may hold a potential for future molecular enhancement of other sensing and catalytic bioreactions.

Higher magnetic susceptibility of globus pallidus in patients after macrocyclic GBCAs: assessment using quantitative susceptibility mapping.

As previous studies reported, gadolinium deposits in globus pallidus (GP) and dentate nucleus (DN) after repeated administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and a signal intensity (SI) increase on T1-weighted images were related to linear GBCAs, not macrocyclic GBCAs. To identify whether quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) could measure a subtle increase in magnetic susceptibility in DN and GP in patients after repeated administrations of gadoteric acid meglumine (Gd-DOTA). In this study, 50 patients with cerebral tumors who had received at least three injections of Gd-DOTA (GBCA group) and 50 individuals without a history of GBCA injections (non-GBCA group) were included. The image data for QSM and T1-weighted images were reviewed. Spearman rank correlation was used to estimate the associations between the values (magnetic susceptibility of QSM and SI ratios of T1-weighted images) and the number of Gd-DOTA injections. The mean magnetic susceptibility of GP in GBCA group was 0.136 ± 0.031 ppm, which was significantly higher than that in control group (0.114 ± 0.030 ppm) (P = 0.001). In the GBCA group (n = 50), we found a substantial positive correlation between magnetic susceptibility of GP and the number of Gd-DOTA injections according to Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ = 0.673, P = 0.0001). There was a modest but significant correlation between magnetic susceptibility of DN and the number of Gd-DOTA injections (ρ = 0.311, P = 0.028). In comparison to the control group, the magnetic susceptibility of GP in the GBCA group was significantly higher and had a substantial positive association with the number of Gd-DOTA injections.

The Usefulness of MRI Dynamic Flow Sequences in Differentiating High- and Low-Flow Vascular Malformations.

Peripheral arteriovenous malformations (PVMs) can be classified into high-flow malformations (HFVMs) and low-flow malformations (LFVMs). Adequate distinguishment is crucial for therapeutic decision and can be done using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). The main aim of this retrospective study was to determine the diagnostic value of quantitative DCE-MRI ratios for differentiation between HFVM and LFVM, their optimal cut-off points, and predictive values. DCE-MRI time-resolved angiography with stochastic trajectory (TWIST) examinations of 90 patients with PVMs were included [28 HFVM (31%), 62 LFVM (69%)]. The measurements of artery-lesion time, maximum lesion enhancement, slope of the enhancement curve, and maximum percentage increase of signal intensity (SI) were obtained. The optimal cut-offs for HFVMs calculated using the Youden index were: for slope of enhancement curve < 8.7 s (sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 89%), artery-lesion time ≤ 5.6 s (sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 77%), time to maximum enhancement ≤ 30 s (sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 100%), and maximum percentage enhancement of the lesion > 662% (sensitivity of 68%, specificity of 69%). To summarize, DCE-MRI is very valuable for differentiation between HFVM and LFVM, especially if quantitative measurements are done.

Characterization of CdTe Thin Films Using Orthogonal Double-Pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Orthogonal reheating double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to the elemental analysis of CdTe thin film samples. Films were grown through nanosecond pulsed laser ablation over silicon and glass substrates. The analysis was performed by applying a 266 nm pulsed laser devised to minimize sample damage. Re-excitation was conducted using a nanosecond laser emitting at 1064 nm that induced air breakdown 1 mm above the target. Emission enhancement was investigated as a function of both time acquisition delay and inter-pulse delay. The plasma temperature and electron density calculations made showed that the double-pulse scheme produced higher temperature values and a longer plasma duration than single-pulse LIBS. The self-absorption coefficient of the lines was determined from the measured ablated matter, plasma volume and collected spectra. The results of the double-pulse LIBS configuration showed a significant increase in emission intensity, reducing the self-absorption effect. In addition, the relative concentration of the thin films was determined for both experimental schemes. The calculated elemental values for the double-pulse configuration coincide with those expected and are more accurate than those obtained using a single laser.

Detailed organisation of the human midbrain periaqueductal grey revealed using ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging

The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) is a critical region for the mediation of pain-related behavioural responses. Neuronal tract tracing techniques in experimental animal studies have demonstrated that the lateral column of the PAG (lPAG) displays a crude somatotopy, which is thought to be critical for the selection of contextually appropriate behavioural responses, without the need for higher brain input. In addition to the different behavioural responses to cutaneous and muscle pain – active withdrawal versus passive coping – there is evidence that cutaneous pain is processed in the region of the lPAG and muscle pain in the adjacent ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG). Given the fundamental nature of these behavioural responses to cutaneous and muscle pain, these PAG circuits are assumed to have been preserved, though yet to be definitively documented in humans. Using ultra-high field (7-Tesla) functional magnetic resonance imaging we determined the locations of signal intensity changes in the PAG during noxious cutaneous heat stimuli and muscle pain in healthy control participants. Images were processed and blood oxygen level dependant (BOLD) signal changes within the PAG determined. It was observed that noxious cutaneous stimulation of the lip, cheek, and ear evoked maximal increases in BOLD activation in the rostral contralateral PAG, whereas noxious cutaneous stimulation of the thumb and toe evoked increases in the caudal contralateral PAG. Analysis of individual participants demonstrated that these activations were located in the lPAG. Furthermore, we found that deep muscular pain evoked the greatest increases in signal intensity in the vlPAG. These data suggest that the crude somatotopic organization of the PAG may be phyletically preserved between experimental animals and humans, with a body-face delineation capable of producing an appropriate behavioural response based on the location and tissue origin of a noxious stimulus.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT COORDINATION PLAN ON NAUKI AVENUE IN KHARKIV

The paper presents the results of evaluating the performance measures of the newly developed and implemented in practice plan for coordinating the work of six local traffic lights on a 1.8 km long fragment of Nauki Avenue in Kharkiv. The analysis of existing methods of coordinated traffic light management has shown that at present they do not provide high performance and are roughly equal in effect to adaptive traffic light management methods. The main instrument of evaluation was the comparison of the results of the application of new parameters of traffic lights operation on the fragment of the street and road network, surrounding the coordinated section, with the traffic situation existing before its implementation. For this purpose, a study of travel time and the number of vehicle stops at intersections was conducted using the "floating car" method, and the speed of vehicles was calculated using TomTom service data. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, and therefore they complemented each other in assessing the direct impact of the coordination plan on the state of traffic management on the studied fragment of the road network. The dual evaluation of the performance measures proved to be very appropriate in light of the operating conditions of the coordinated fragment of Nauki Avenue and the road network around it, which recorded a significant increase in traffic intensity during 2021 and after the implementation of the coordination plan in early 2022. The evaluation of its effectiveness in both ways convincingly showed the high efficiency of this measure, in terms of the number of stops and travel time, and the TomTom service data showed that even with an increase in traffic volume by almost one and a half times, the speed of cars in general increased by more than 14%. Taking into account the minimal costs for the implementation of the coordination plan, this testifies in favor of the means of arterial coordination in the Ukraine cities, as a priority direction for the development of local traffic lights systems in comparison with the creation of adaptive traffic light control systems. Keywords: coordination of traffic lights, urban arterial, travel time, vehicle speed.

991 A PATIENT WITH INFERIOR Q WAVES AND CHEST PAIN: WHEN HOOF BEATS ARE NOT HORSES

Abstract Background Cardiac masses are commonly classified as neoplastic (primary and secondary) or non-neoplastic (e.g., thrombus or vegetation). Cardiac tumors are rare, and primary tumors are even rarer, with an estimated autopsy prevalence of &amp;lt; 0.1%. Differentiating between these masses is of paramount importance as treatment options greatly differ. Case presentation A 46-year-old male patient, current smoker, with family history of CAD and new onset hyperlipidemia and hypertension, underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) screening for an episode of chest pain. His ECG showed sinus rhythm with Q waves in inferior leads. The laboratory tests did not reveal any abnormality. His transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal biventricular function, and a lobular mass of 30×20 mm, that seemed in continuity with the antero-lateral (A-L) papillary muscle. For the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factor, the patient underwent diagnostic coronary angiography which showed normal coronary arteries. Differential diagnoses were: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with isolated hypertrophy of the A-L papillary muscle and LV mass. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed and demonstrated a pedunculated mobile non-enhancing 30×18mm mass within the LV anterior apex, that in the systolic phase contracts close relationships with the A-L papillary muscle which appears dislocated. This encapsulated formation determined a mild systolic obliteration of the LV cavity at the mid-apical portion. T1 imaging with and without suppression of adipose tissue, were compatible with cardiac intraventricular lipoma. The case was discussed in a multi-disciplinary heart team, and in accordance with the cardiac surgeon the patient underwent conservative management and follow up with echocardiography at 6 months and CMR at 1 year. Discussion Cardiac lipomas are rare benign primary cardiac tumors. They are usually indolent, asymptomatic and incidentally-discovered. Symptoms such as dyspnea, syncope or palpitations can occur if the tumor grows and causes LV obstruction, LV dysfunction or invasion of the conduction system. Sudden cardiac death has been reported, but the true incidence is unknown given its rarity. The most common location for cardiac lipomas is the inter-atrial septum, followed by endocardium of RA and LV. CMR is the imaging modality of choice when available and lipomas have a homogeneous appearance of increased signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, with a reduction in signal intensity in fat-saturated sequences. As the prevalence of cardiac lipomas is very low, there are no randomized clinical trials or large prospective cohorts to provide guidance for optimal treatment. Embolization or infiltration of the myocardium are not common. For large lesions causing obstruction, surgical resection is usually indicated. Conclusion Cardiac lipoma is a rare primary tumor of the heart. The comprehensive evaluation is highly dependent on multimodality imaging methods. The best treatment strategy is still not clear and should be individualized.

Effects of the height and chordwise installation of the vane-type vortex generators on the unsteady aerodynamics of a wind turbine airfoil undergoing dynamic stall

Dynamic stall can produce nonlinear and unsteady aerodynamic loads on wind turbines. It has attracted considerable attention recently by introducing vortex generators (VGs) to suppress the dynamic stall, although the effects of decisive VG parameters have not yet been investigated adequately. This paper aims to provide insights into the impacts of vane height and chordwise installation on the dynamic stall phenomenon of an NREL S809 airfoil equipped with VGs. Unsteady flow characteristics are identified through fully resolved URANS simulations. Unsteady flow separation can be suppressed effectively via the VG-induced streamwise vortices. Consequently, the delayed onset of dynamic stall leads to greatly increased maximum lift and accelerated flow reattachment in the downstroke process. Low-profile VGs can cause an early abrupt dynamic stall and remarkable aerodynamic hysteresis, thereby losing their effectiveness. Moreover, positioning VGs too far downstream can cause significant increases in both drag and hysteresis intensity, because the streamwise vortices decay rapidly under the high adverse pressure gradient. Increasing VG size and utilizing double-row VGs simultaneously can strengthen the VG-induced streamwise vortices and hence the boundary layer momentum transfer, resulting in effectively controlled local flow structures. Furthermore, double-row VGs perform efficiently in improving unsteady aerodynamics due to low drag penalty.

Cellular toxicities of gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging.

Contrast agents have been used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a radiological method. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), because of their paramagnetic characteristics, are the ones mostly used in MRI to increase signal intensity. However, the use of contrast media has raised concerns on cellular toxic risks of these agents. Studies showed the accumulation of gadolinium after injection to humans with or without renal impairment. Also, there are findings obtained under in vitro and/or in vivo conditions that revealed conflicting results for their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Some of them declared damage in cells and genetic material; some others did not. Abnormal cell growth and genetic aberration are critical because they may lead to carcinogenesis in somatic cells or may be transferred to the next generations through germ cells. Therefore, understanding the effect of GBCAs on cells is important for their safer usage in clinical administrations to generate high-quality contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images. Because of all these reasons, cellular toxicities-mainly genotoxic and cytotoxic effects-of GBCAs were reviewed in this paper.

Hexapole-Assisted Continuous Atmospheric Pressure Interface for a High-Pressure Photoionization Miniature Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer.

Miniature mass spectrometers are powerful tools for on-site chemical analysis in the fields of homeland security, personal healthcare, and environmental monitoring. This study presents a novel hexapole-assisted continuous atmospheric pressure interface for a high-pressure photoionization miniature ion trap mass spectrometer (HA-HPPI-IT). Efficient ion transmission was achieved by combining radial focusing by an RF electric field and axial driving by gas flow, which was demonstrated by SIMION simulation and experimental verification. The pressure in the ionization-transmission chamber and the inner diameter of the skimmer were optimized, which helped in determining the number density of product ions and affected the ion transmission in the hexapole, respectively. After systematic optimizations, about 16-fold increase in signal intensity was achieved as the RF amplitude was varied from 140 to 400 Vpp, and a limit of detection of 1 ppbv was obtained. In addition, the HA-HPPI-IT exhibited high stability and the relative standard deviation was as low as 5.47%. Finally, the apparatus was applied for discovering the simulated spot for illicit drug synthesis by detecting toluene and propiophenone released to air and monitoring the evolutions of perchloroethylene residues from dry-cleaned clothes.

Finger Flexor Weakness in Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) affects the ocular, bulbar, and proximal limb muscles. The involvement of distal limb musclesis uncommon. MG-related weakness that severely affects the finger flexors and spares finger extensors and intrinsic hand muscles have never been reported. Here, we report a 35-year-old woman with acetylcholine receptor-antibody positive generalised MG who presented with severe bilateral asymmetric (left worse than right) finger flexor weakness during an MG relapse. The remaining muscles including the median and ulnar intrinsic hand muscles were normal. Repetitive nerve stimulation test showed decremental responses of more than 10%. Magnetic resonance imaging showed short-T1 inversion recovery sequences and increased signal intensities in the volar forearm muscles. Needle electromyography revealed fibrillations and positive sharp waves, small amplitude, short-duration, and polyphasic early recruiting motor unit action potentials. Myositis-specific autoantibodies were negative. Muscle biopsy showed neurogenic features. The patient had a good recovery with immunotherapy. We conclude that clinicians should be aware that marked weakness of the finger flexors can occur as a result of an MG relapse and may require early aggressive therapy. Key Words: Electromyography, Finger flexors, Muscle, Biopsy, Myasthenia gravis.

SPATIOTEMPORAL CHANGES OF THE HABITAT QUALITY AND THE HUMAN ACTIVITY INTENSITY AND THEIR CORRELATION IN MOUNTAINOUS CITIES

As the urbanization is being rapidly boosted, the urban habitat quality has been significantly disturbed by human activities through land use, which highly affects the urban ecological environment and sustainable development of social economy. However, the change characteristics of the habitat quality and human activities in different topographic gradients in rapidly urbanized mountainous cities remain unclear. Accordingly, Guiyang in China, is selected as the representative of typical mountain cities. The change characteristics of the habitat quality, the human activity intensity and their correlation in mountainous cities from 2000 to 2020, are analyzed using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, as well as the ArcGIS software based on the remote sensing interpretation data in 2000, 2010 and 2020. The results demonstrate that the overall habitat quality in Guiyang decreased by 0.0304, while the human activity intensity increased by 0.0287 from 2000 to 2020. The amount of changes of the habitat quality and the human activity intensity in Guiyang from 2010 to 2020, are higher than those from 2000 to 2010. The amount of changes of the habitat quality and the human activity intensity in Guiyang decreases with the increase of the slope. The central and southern parts of Guiyang are the highlight areas with a significant decline of habitat quality and significant increase of human activity intensity. The areas with an increased habitat quality and decreased human activity intensity are sporadically distributed. A significant negative correlation is reported between the change of the habitat quality and human activity intensity in Guiyang. In addition, a prominent spatial heterogeneity is identified in the local indicators of the spatial association (LISA) map. The significant increase in the artificial land and the decrease in the natural land as affected by the rapid urbanization, act as crucial factors leading to the decline of the habitat quality and the increase in the human activity intensity in mountainous cities.

여성노인의 걷기 운동 시 보행 속도별 운동 강도와 에너지 소비량에 관한 비교·분석

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences in heart rate, exercise intensity (%HRR, RPE), and energy consumption(Kcal/min) according to walking speed. Walking is an aerobic physical activity that has less impact on skeletal muscles and joints compared to sports, such as running or mountaineering. Twelve older females aged over 65 and living in J city, G-do, that could walk 800 m at 120 steps, 140 steps, and 160 steps per minute, participated in this study. The exercise intensity was increased every minute. The number of steps was measured using the metronome beat, the subjective exercise intensity is measured using the RPE, and the energy consumption (Kcal/min) is measured using the regression equation using the heart rate.BRThe results show that the average heart rate was significantly higher(p.01) at 140 steps was 117.4±13.0 compared to 120 steps was 103.2±10.2 bpm/min, Additionally, the average heart rate was significantly higher(p.01) for the 160 steps was 136.7±17.7 than 140 steps was 117.4±13.0. The average exercise intensity per minute was significantly higher(p.01) at 140 steps was 52..8±14.8 %HRR than at, at 120 steps was 37.8±12.0 %HRR. Likewise, average exercise intensity per minute was significantly higher(p.01) at 160 steps was 73.0±19.4 %HRR than at, at 140 steps was 52.8±14.8 %HRR. For the RPE exercise intensity was significantly higher(p.01) according to the number of steps, i.e. 14.1±1.4 at 160 steps, 10.8±1.5 at 140 steps, and 8.7±1.2 at 120 steps. For the energy consumption, there were significant differences(p.01) between the averages according to the step speed, 5.2±1.3 Kcal/min at 160 steps, 3.7±1.0 Kcal/min at 140 steps, and 2.6±0.8 Kcal/min at 120 steps.BRIn conclusion, as expected there were statistically significant increases in heart rate, exercise intensity(Heart rate and RPE), and energy consumption as the walking speed increased.BRIn this study, 12 elderly women 65 years of age or older were limited to the subjects. However, in future studies, it is necessary to study more specific changes in exercise intensity and energy consumption through studies of all age groups and genders.

Prevalence of Cervical Canal Stenosis in Patients with Femoral Fracture: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Cervical spine surgery reduces falls and subsequent femoral fractures. Nonetheless, current evidence on the prevalence of cervical cord compression (CCC) and increased signal intensity (ISI) in patients with femoral fractures is limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CCC and ISI and characterize the physical status and imaging findings using cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain computed tomography (CT) in patients with femoral fractures. This study included 173 patients (140 women, 33 men) with femoral fractures caused by falling, who underwent both cervical spine MRI and brain CT. CCC cases classified as grade 2 (compression of less than one-third of the spinal cord) or higher were investigated. The ISI of the severely affected intervertebral disc level was evaluated using T2-weighted MRI. Hand grip strength and myelopathic signs were also evaluated. Data analysis was performed using the χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test. Among the 173 patients, 83 (48.0%) had CCC, 29 (16.8%) had ISI, and 68 (39.3%) had abnormal brain CT findings. There was no ISI in patients in the non-CCC group. The patients' average age in the CCC group was significantly higher than that in the non-CCC group. There was no significant difference in the proportion of myelopathic sign and abnormal brain CT findings between the CCC and non-CCC groups or between the ISI and non-ISI groups. Bilateral hand grip strength was significantly negatively correlated with the stenosis rate (right, p=0.047; left, p=0.0018). In conclusion, our study showed that patients with femoral fractures had a high frequency of cervical canal stenosis and intracranial lesions using cervical spine MRI and brain CT.

Features of Audio-Vestibular Deficit and 3D-FLAIR Temporal Bone MRI in Patients with Herpes Zoster Oticus.

Herpes zoster oticus (HZO) is characterized by otalgia and erythematous vesicles in the auricle or external auditory canal. Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) can be diagnosed when facial nerve palsy is accompanied by these symptoms of HZO, and in this case, audio-vestibular symptoms such as hearing loss or dizziness often develop. Recently, 3D-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence (3D-FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been introduced in order to evaluate the inner ear structure pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the audio-vestibular characteristics in correlation with temporal bone MRI findings in HZO patients. From September 2018 to June 2022, 18 patients with HZO participated in the study. Thirteen patients (77%) showed high-signal intensity in the inner ear structures in 4 h post-contrast 3D-FLAIR images. In a bithermal caloric test, the lateral semicircular canal showed high signal intensity in 4 h post-contrast 3D-FLAIR images in 75% of patients with abnormal canal paresis. While the cochlea showed high signal intensity in 4 h post-contrast 3D-FLAIR images in 75% of patients with hearing loss, the vestibulo-cochlear nerve showed enhancement in post-contrast T1-weighted images in only 33% of patients with hearing loss. The present study demonstrates that audio-vestibular deficits are well-correlated with increased signal intensity of the inner ear endorgans in 4 h post contrast 3D-FLAIR MRI.

Spatio-temporal evolution of heat waves severity and expansion across the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic islands

In the current climate change scenario, heat waves have become one of the most concerning extreme climatic events, both because of their implications for human health and the economy, and because of their increase in intensity and frequency in recent decades. This work presents for the first time a climatological analysis of heat waves in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Archipelago (IPB) using the Excess Heat Factor index (EHF). This index considers the factor of intensity and the acclimatization process of human body in the study of heat waves. We focused on the intensity (also called severity), duration, frequency and spatial extension of heat waves in the IPB in the 1950–2020 period. The exceptional heat wave of August 2018 was approached in a similar way to further explore the usefulness of the EHF index. We found that the EHF index identified heat wave conditions 2 days earlier than indices that used only maximum temperatures. Results showed a significant increase in intensity, duration, frequency and spatial extension of heat waves for the whole IPB for 1950–2020 period. The average extent of heat waves increased by 4.0% per decade and the maximum extent by 4.1% per decade. This trend suggested a significant increase in human exposure, droughts, fire risk and energy demand in this region in the last decades.