Size Reduction Rate Research Articles

A Randomized Controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy of Autologous Smashed Follicular Dermal Graft and Epidermal Cell Suspension versus Normal Saline Dressing in the Treatment of Chronic Nonhealing Trophic Ulcers in Patients with Hansen's Disease.

Trophic ulcers remain the most common reason for hospitalization in patients with Hansen's disease. With the introduction of new therapeutic regimens, leprosy can now be cured. However, complications of the disease, such as sensory loss, muscle palsy, absorption of extremities, and recurrent ulcers, still lead to substantial morbidity. The management of patients with trophic ulcers and their consequences is difficult, because it is a recurrent and recalcitrant problem. To evaluate the efficacy of autologous smashed follicular dermal graft and epidermal cell suspension (ECS) in the treatment of chronic nonhealing trophic ulcers in patients with Hansen's disease and to compare its efficacy with normal saline dressing. A total of 46 chronic nonhealing trophic ulcers were randomized into two groups (23 ulcers in each): Ulcers in Group A were treated with autologous smashed follicular dermal graft and ECS; ulcers in Group B were treated with normal saline dressings. Ulcers were assessed based on the rate of ulcer size reduction at every week till 12 weeks and then once a month till the sixth month. All 23 (100%) ulcers in Group A had healed within the study period of six months, whereas only 14 (60.9%) ulcers had healed in Group B. Nine (39.1%) ulcers in Group B had not healed even at the end of six months. All 23 (100%) ulcers in Group A had healed within eight weeks, which was statistically significant, P value <0.05. Trophic ulcers heal faster by autologous smashed follicular dermal graft and ECS, with good results of re-epithelialization of the ulcer bed than by normal saline dressing.

Multi-Objective Optimization Model and Hierarchical Attention Networks for Mutation Testing

Mutation testing is devised for measuring test suite adequacy by identifying the artificially induced faults in software. This paper presents a novel approach by considering multiobjectives-based optimization. Here, the optimal test suite generation is performed using the proposed water cycle water wave optimization (WCWWO). The best test suites are generated by satisfying the multi-objective factors, such as time of execution, test suite size, mutant score, and mutant reduction rate. The WCWWO is devised by a combination of the water cycle algorithm (WCA) and water wave optimization (WWO). The hierarchical attention network (HAN) is used for classifying the equivalent mutants by utilizing the MutPy tool. Furthermore, the performance of the developed WCWWO+HAN is evaluated in terms of three metrics—mutant score (MS), mutant reduction rate (MRR), and fitness—with the maximal MS of 0.585, higher MRR of 0.397, and maximum fitness of 0.652.

Implementation of the Digital QS-SVM-Based Beamformer on an FPGA Platform.

To address practical challenges in establishing and maintaining robust wireless connectivity such as multi-path effects, low latency, size reduction, and high data rate, we have deployed the digital beamformer, as a spatial filter, by using the hybrid antenna array at an operating frequency of 10 GHz. The proposed digital beamformer utilizes a combination of the two well-established beamforming techniques of minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) and linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV). In this case, the MVDR beamforming method updates weight vectors on the FPGA board, while the LCMV beamforming technique performs nullsteering in directions of interference signals in the real environment. The most well-established machine learning technique of support vector machine (SVM) for the Direction of Arrival (DoA) estimation is limited to problems with linearly-separable datasets. To overcome the aforementioned constraint, the quadratic surface support vector machine (QS-SVM) classifier with a small regularizer has been used in the proposed beamformer for the DoA estimation in addition to the two beamforming techniques of LCMV and MVDR. In this work, we have assumed that five hybrid array antennas and three sources are available, at which one of the sources transmits the signal of interest. The QS-SVM-based beamformer has been deployed on the FPGA board for spatially filtering two signals from undesired directions and passing only one of the signals from the desired direction. The simulation results have verified the strong performance of the QS-SVM-based beamformer in suppressing interference signals, which are accompanied by placing deep nulls with powers less than -10 dB in directions of interference signals, and transferring the desired signal. Furthermore, we have verified that the performance of the QS-SVM-based beamformer yields other advantages including average latency time in the order of milliseconds, performance efficiency of more than 90%, and throughput of nearly 100%.

18F FDG PET/CT Scan in the Evaluation of Metabolic and Morphologic Change of Breast Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Background: Breast cancer remains the most commonly occurring cancer among women across the world and accounts for 69% of cancer deaths. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been effective in downstaging a primary tumor before surgery. In this study, a fluorine-18, 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan was used to determine the metabolic and morphological changes of breast cancer after therapy. An 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was done before and after NACT. The change in maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) ultimately reflects the metabolic status of tumor cells, and the change in tumor diameter represents the morphology of the tumor. Objective: To determine the therapeutic response by assessing metabolic and morphologic changes in breast cancer patients using an 18F-FDG PET/CT scan after NACT. Patients and methods: The study was conducted at the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) campus, from March 2020 to June 2021, on biopsy-proven female patients diagnosed with breast cancer (stage II to stage IV as defined by the AJCC). A total of nine patients were enrolled in this study. Before and after NACT, a PET/CT scan was performed in accordance with the IAEA CRP guidelines (in a prone posture with breast hanging supported by a breast cushion) and following the NINMAS protocol. Morphological and metabolic data were recorded and analyzed to ascertain the tumor's metabolic and morphologic (as per RECIST 1.1) outcomes. A follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT after NACT was done using the same dose and the same number of beds (1 minute per bed) as done before NACT. Results: About 89% of patients showed a reduction in tumor size following NACT. The mean tumor size reduction rate was 23.66±22.19 (%) and the difference was statistically significant between prior and after NACT (P &lt; 0.05). Only 11% of patients developed higher SUVmax following NACT. According to RECIST 1.1 criteria, 11.11% of patients had progressive disease, 44.44% had a partial response, and 44.44% were stable. In PET/CT scans, approximately 66.67% of patients responded to NACT. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT can be used as a potential state-of-the art imaging approach in breast cancer patients before and after NACT. Following NACT, metabolic and morphological changes are visible in the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, distinguishing responder and non-responder, which must be compared with pathologic response. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 26(1): 13-18, 2023

New Paradigm in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Grafting Techniques Using 3D-Bioprinted Autologous Minimally Manipulated Homologous Adipose Tissue (3D-AMHAT) with Fibrin Gel Acting as a Biodegradable Scaffold

Adipose tissue is an abundant source of extracellular substances that support the tissue repair process. This pilot study was carried out to determine the efficacy of 3D-bioprinted autologous adipose tissue grafts on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), with fibrin gel used to stabilise the graft. This was a single-arm pilot study in a tertiary hospital that provides diabetic wound care services. A total of 10 patients with a DFU were enrolled, and the primary endpoint was complete healing within 12 weeks. The secondary endpoints were wound size reduction, time to healing, and adverse events. Seven out of ten patients showed complete healing of their DFU within 12 weeks (at 2, 4, 5, 10, and 12 weeks, respectively). The wound size reduction rate was significantly and progressively reduced over time. According to our data, autologous adipose tissue grafting using a 3D bioprinter, with the addition of fibrin gel that acts as a scaffold, promotes wound healing with high-quality skin reconstruction. Throughout this study period, no adverse events were observed.

Goiter size changes as an indicator of response to treatment following selenium intake, and its correlation with goiter type

Introduction: Goiter is a common problem in the world; however, it is more prevalent in countries with iodine deficiency. Goiter has different etiologies while one of them is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Selenium is a trace element that has different important effects in the body. It has also some effects in the thyroid. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of selenium intake on goiter size and the correlation with goiter type. Patients and Methods: In prospective observational study, 20 patients with Hashimoto’s goiter and 40 patients with non-Hashimoto’s goiter were evaluated for thyroid sizes. The nodule sizes were else evaluated. After the first evaluation, daily selenium supplement (200 mg) was prescribed for all patients for six months. After this time, the sizes of goiter and nodules were measured again. Results: Results showed that the size of both goiter lobes in both Hashimoto’s and non-Hashimoto’s groups was significantly reduced before and after selenium intake (P&lt;0.001). The reduction rate in left lobe size in patients with Hashimoto’s goiter was 50.73% and in nonHashimoto’s goiter patients was 20.89% (P&lt;0.001). The reduction rate in right lobe size in patients with Hashimoto’s goiter was 53.37% and in non-Hashimoto’s goiter was 20.46 (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that administration of selenium is effective in reducing the size of the goiter.

Endovascular management of renal angiomyolipomas: Do coils have a benefit in terms of clinical success rates?

PURPOSE This study evaluated single center results of endovascular treatment in renal angiomyolipoma (AML) to determine whether there is clinical relevance of adding proximal coil embolization to distal particle embolization in terms of safety, efficacy and retreatment rates. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate patients undergoing transarterial embolization for renal AMLs from January 2007 to October 2020. Parameters regarding patient and tumor characteristics, embolization technique, treatment outcome and complications were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups as A (only particle group) and B (particle + coil group) based on the type of embolic agent used for treatment. Comparative analysis was performed between the two groups in terms of tumor size reduction, retreatment and complication rates. RESULT Forty-two patients (37 (88.1%) female, 5 (11.9%) male) harboring 48 AMLs were included in the study. The mean age was 43.46 (range 20 to 78). The technical success rate was 95.8% (46 of 48 procedures). The mean size reduction was 1.94±1 cm (p < 0.001) after treatments however, no significant difference was seen between groups in terms of tumor size reduction. Retreatment rates were 3.1% (1 of 32 cases) in group A and 14.3% (2 of 14 cases) in group B (p = 0.21). No significant difference was found between groups in terms of bleeding and complication rates during the perioperative period. Mean follow-up duration was 26.48±25.71 (range from 2 to 102) months. CONCLUSION In this study, no clear supplementary benefit was observed in terms of safety, and efficacy with the adjunction of coils to distal particle embolization in the management of AMLs.

Population Shrinkage, Public Service Levels, and Heterogeneity in Resource-Based Cities: Case Study of 112 Cities in China

Resource-based cities (RBCs) have become an important part of shrinking cities, and their population shrinkage brings many challenges for RBCs. A lot of literature analyzes the effects of shrinkage in RBCs, but very few explore the impact of population shrinkage on changes in their public service levels (PSLs). How the population shrinkage affects public services in RBCs, whether it is heterogeneous concerning the degree of shrinkage, and what the policy implications are all need to be studied in this paper. We propose the criteria for defining population shrinkage grades in terms of population size, population proportion, and population reduction rate, and we define the shrinkage grades of 112 RBCs. We select 12 indicators to build an index system to measure the PSLs of China’s RBCs, define the shrinkage grades of 112 RBCs, measure their PSLs, and analyze the impact of population shrinkage on the public services in China’s RBCs. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the rate of population reduction (pr) and the increased range of PSLs (PSLIR). The population shrinkage generally contributes to the improvement of PSLs in RBCs, but the effect is heterogeneous among the different shrinkage grades. In cities with population growth, it inhibits the improvement of PSLs, while in cities with population shrinkage, it promotes the improvement of PSLs. This promotion effect is phased and can only occur in the early stages of population shrinkage. The results also reveal the effects of the control variables on the PSLs of all the RBCs, as well as the RBCs with different shrinkage grades. These results can provide a reference for the sustainable development of RBCs.

A DEM study on microstructural behaviour of soluble granular materials subjected to chemo-mechanical loading

Experimental works provide a mere understanding of the behaviour of granular material subjected to chemo-mechanical weathering, while the microstructural behaviour is of key importance due to the presence of coupling between the chemical and mechanical loading at the grain scale. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) has proven to be a viable tool in characterizing such microstructural behaviour of granular material in the recent past. In the present study, a DEM based numerical model is proposed to simulate chemo-mechanical degradation as observed in experiments. The aim is to understand how the dissolution rate alters during the dissolution of fully soluble reactive granular assembly like calcite under flowing acetic acid solution. The DEM contact parameters are calibrated for calcite granules, while the grain dissolution due to acid flow is mimicked by reducing particle size at a specific rate. The numerical results reveal that a gradual rise in dissolution rate or particle size reduction rate leads to a drop in lateral stress followed by a steady stress state condition. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that a reduction in dissolution rate leads to an increase in lateral stress. The microstructural analysis utilizing average particle velocity indicates that the increasing dissolution rate does not enhance particle rearrangement of the same order. Hence, more voids are created within the sample, and particle contact reduces, which promotes a reduction in lateral stress within the sample.

Revealing the bonding mechanisms between deposit and substrate of the friction rolling additive manufactured hybrid aluminum alloys

Friction rolling additive manufacturing (FRAM) is an emerging solid-state additive manufacturing technology for high-strength aluminum alloys that are prone to produce solidification defects using fusion-based additive manufacturing method. However, the mechanisms responsible for good bonding between the FRAM interlayers remain unclear. This study successfully reveals such mechanisms for FRAM-produced hybrid AA2319 and AA6061 aluminum alloys using 3D X-ray computed tomography, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Three findings concerning the quality of bonding between adjacent layers in FRAM were obtained. Firstly, material plastic flow and macroscopic migration behavior occurred simultaneously along the longitudinal and transverse directions at the interlayer, forming a macroscopic mechanically interlocking nonplanar interface. The convex thread at the tool head increased the material flow in the transverse direction, facilitating material mixing in the adjacent layer. Secondly, severe plastic deformation resulted in significant grain refinement on both sides of the interface. The average grain size reduction rates for the sides of AA2319 and AA6061 were 98.3% and 95.9%, respectively. Thirdly, direct contact with no obvious oxides resulted in complete metallurgical interface bonding. These findings can aid in the elucidation of the basic physical process of FRAM and provide guidance for process parameter optimization and tool head design in the future. • Mechanically interlocked non-planar interface was formed during the FRAM process. • Material flow occurred simultaneously along with the longitudinal and transverse directions at the interlayer. • Thread protrusion significantly increased the material flow in the transverse direction. • Severe plastic deformation resulted in significant grain size reduction for both sides of the interface. • It was experimentally proved that direct contact with no oxide was achieved at the interface, forming a complete metallurgical bonding.

The Prognostic Value of Tumor Size, Volume and Tumor Volume Reduction Rate During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Cervical Cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between prognostic and tumor parameters of cervical cancer patients, such as tumor size (TS), tumor volume (TV), and tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR) after external beam radiotherapy.MethodsA total of 217 patients with advanced cervical cancer, classified as Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) IIa–IVa, were enrolled in the study. Pre- and mid-RT pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed twice, during RT and just before brachytherapy.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 51 months (range, 7–111 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local failure-free survival (LFFS) rates were 81.3, 85.1, and 92.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor parameters including FIGO stage >II (Hazard Ratio, 2.377 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.091–5.182; P = 0.029), pre-RT TV >61.6 cm3 (HR, 0.417 and 95% CI, 0.188–0.926; P = 0.032), and mid-RT TV >11.38 cm3 (HR, 3.192 and 95% CI, 1.094–9.316; P = 0.034) were observably associated with OS. Univariate analysis showed that the tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR) was dramatically associated with overall survival (HR, 0.204 and 95% CI 0.033–1.282; P <0.001) and local failure-free survival (P = 0.050).ConclusionsIn this retrospective study, TVRR and mid-radiotherapy tumor volume are independent and strong prognostic parameters for patients with local advanced cervical cancer receiving CCRT.

Idebenone-loaded wound dressings promote diabetic wound healing through downregulation of Il1b, Nfkb genes and upregulation of Fgf2 gene

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are overproduced in diabetic wounds and retard the healing response. Considering the antioxidative function of idebenone, its exogenous administration may quench excessive ROS and promote diabetic wound healing. In the current study, idebenone was loaded into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) /calcium alginate scaffolds at three different concentrations of 1 w/w%, 2 w/w%, and 3 w/w%. Various in vitro experiments were performed to characterize the developed wound dressings. Cell viability assay showed that scaffolds loaded with 1 w/w% idebenone had significantly better protection under oxidative stress and exhibited higher cell viability. Therefore, the dressings containing 1% drug was chosen to treat diabetic wounds in rat model. Wound healing assay showed that the dressings loaded with 1% drug had significantly higher rate of wound size reduction, collagen deposition, and epithelial thickness. Gene expression study showed that wound healing was accompanied by modulation of inflammatory response, protection against oxidative stress, and increasing angiogenesis-related genes. This preliminary research suggests that PVA/calcium alginate/1% idebenone scaffolds can be considered as a potential treatment modality to treat diabetic wounds in the clinic. However, more extensive studies at gene and protein expression levels are required to understand its exact mechanism of healing effects.

Morphometric Characteristic of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) · Wuhan Strain and Its Egg Production Improved by Selectively Inbreeding.

The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to recycle various organic materials while producing biomass for use as feed is well established. Variety selection is important from the perspective of application. In the current study, morphometric and life-history traits of a Wuhan-domesticated BSF colony (Wuhan strain) were compared to those of a ‘selectively inbred’ population (inbred strain, inbred for 10 generations). In terms of morphological characteristics, the results showed that both strains had dichoptic compound eyes, club-shaped antennae, blue halters, and blue-green metallic luster wings with a hexagon discal cell. In both strains, the body and wing length of female adults were slightly larger than those of male adults. The first four larval stages of the BSF occurred rapidly (1–12 days) with transitions across stages resulting in doubling of size for both populations. Selective inbreeding did not alter the life-history traits of the larval exuviate stage in terms of age, size, weight, and feed reduction rate. Overall egg production for the inbred strain was significantly higher (1.5 times greater) than the Wuhan strain. This is explained by increased adult emergence and individual oviposition performance. It was speculated that inbreeding improved the reproductive success of inbred adult female offspring and selection process steadied it. The findings indicate that selective inbreeding could enhance overall oviposition performance and provide a strategy to selectively breed BSF with high egg production for future applications.

Resistant Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers: Effect of Adjuvant Systemic Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Versus Venous Intervention Alone.

The aim of this study was to assess the adjuvant efficacy of adding systemic hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to definitive venous intervention for healing of resistant chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs). From 97 chronic VLUs, 63 were subjected to a pre-study standard wound care. Thirty three ulcers failed to achieve 50% size reduction, after the 4-weeks standard care, and were allocated to be treated with: HBOT plus venous intervention (n = 17), or venous intervention alone (n = 16). Primary outcomes were the change in ulcer area, complete healing frequency and time, as well as ulcer recurrence. There was a history of recurrent ulcer (82.3% vs. 69%) in HBOT versus venous intervention groups, respectively. The comparison between both groups with regard to area change showed non-significant difference after 3 months of therapy, while there was a significant difference at 6 and 12 months. A significant positive correlation was found between the HBO sessions numbers (20-40) and the rate of ulcer size reduction. Ulcer complete closure after 3 months was observed in (41.7%) of HBOT group, versus (23%) in venous intervention group; (p = 0.33). After 12 months, complete closure was observed in (83.3%) of HBOT group, versus (53.8%) in venous intervention group; (p = 0.02). The mean time of complete closure was significantly shorter in HBOT group, (p = 0.001). HBOT may be effective as adjuvant to venous intervention in treatment of chronic resistant VLUs, it should be reserved for persistent ulcer. Randomized controlled trials with larger numbers is still needed to elucidate its exact role and specific indications.

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Multicenter Clinical Trial Comparing Paste-Type Acellular Dermal Matrix to Standard Care for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds.

The treatment of chronic wounds remains challenging. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been shown to be effective for various types of wound healing. This study was designed to compare the wound size reduction rate after 12 weeks between patients receiving paste-type ADM and standard wound care. Patients over 19 years old with chronic wounds, deeper than full-thickness skin defects, more than 4 cm2 in size that did not heal over the 3 weeks before the study were included. After a screening period of 7 days, patients were randomized to receive either paste-type ADM or standard wound care. The wound status was evaluated at baseline, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. A total of 86 patients were enrolled in this study. The wounds continuously and constantly reduced in size from week 1, and the reduction rate was significantly greater in the study group from week 2 until the end (week 12). In the study group, wound healing was achieved in 29 of 38 wounds (76.3%). Paste-type ADM might be a useful option for wound healing and can be applied safely and efficiently for advanced wound care.

Volumetric Analysis of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for Predicting the Response to Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

We aimed to prospectively investigate intravoxel incoherent motion parameters to predict the response to chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. From July 2016 to March 2018, 30 advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled and underwent chest intravoxel incoherent motion-diffusion-weighted imaging at Siemens 3T magnetic resonance imaging before and at the end of the first cycle of chemotherapy. Regions of interest were drawn including the whole tumor volume to derive the apparent diffusion coefficient value, D, D*, and f, respectively. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the cutoff values of continuous variables. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were generated. Among the 30 patients, 28 cases (93.3%) died and 2 cases (6.7%) survived till the closeout date. Univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the significant predictors of PFS and OS were the tumor size reduction rate, the change rates of D and apparent diffusion coefficient values, and the D value before therapy (PFS: P = 0.015, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.841; P < 0.001, HR = 5.840; P = 0.044, HR = 2.457; and P = 0.027, HR = 2.715; OS: P = 0.008, HR = 2.987; P < 0.001, HR = 4.357; P = 0.006, HR = 3.313; and P = 0.013, HR = 2.941, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that △D% was identified as independent predictors of both PFS and OS (P = 0.003, HR = 9.200 and P = 0.016, HR = 4.617). In addition, the cutoff value of △D% was 21.06% calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the PFS and OS were significantly greater in the group of patients with △D% larger than 21.06% (log-rank test, χ2 = 16.453, P < 0.001; χ2 = 13.952, P < 0.001). Intravoxel incoherent motion-diffusion-weighted imaging was preferred for predicting the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. A D increase more than 21.06% at 1 month was associated with a lower rate of disease progression and death.

Evaluation of response to stereotactic body radiation therapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer: PET response criteria in solid tumors versus response evaluation criteria in solid tumors.

Recommendations for surveillance after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are not well defined. Recently, PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST) have been proposed as a new standardized method to assess radiotherapeutic response both quantitatively and metabolically. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic response following SBRT in early-stage NSCLC patients by comparing PERCIST with the currently widely used RECIST. Forty-nine patients with early-stage NSCLC who had been prescribed SBRT were studied. Responses of lesion were evaluated using CT and 18F-FDG PET according to the RECIST and PERCIST methods. PET-CT scans were obtained before SBRT and 3-6 months after SBRT. Associations between overall survival (OS) and clinicopathologic results (histology, tumor location, tumor size, lymphatic invasion, clinical stage, and radiotherapeutic responses in RECIST and PERCIST) were statistically analyzed. The median patient follow-up was 30 months. Thirteen patients had stage IA, 9 stage IB, 10 stage IIA, and 17 stage IIB biopsy-proven NSCLC. Three-year OS was 79.6%. CT scans indicated three regional recurrences. PET-CT/chest indicated three regional recurrences and distant metastasis. Significant differences were observed in response classification between RECIST and PERCIST (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P = 0.0041). Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage, RECIST, and PERCIST were significant factors associated with OS, whereas by multivariate analysis PERCIST was the only predictor of OS. SMD, PMD/PMR, and CMR in PERCIST criteria were indicative of a 9.900-fold increase in the risk of OS in early NSCLC patients [risk ratio, 9.900 (95% CI, 1.040-21.591); P = 0.001]. RECIST based on the anatomic size reduction rate did not demonstrate the correlation between radiotherapeutic response and prognosis in patients with early-stage NSCLC receiving SBRT. However, PERCIST was shown as the strongest independent predictor of outcomes. PERCIST might be considered more suitable for the evaluation of NSCLC tumor response to SBRT than RECIST.

Miniaturized Band Pass Filter Design Using Half Mode Substrate Integrated Coaxial Resonators.

The contribution of this work is to propose a half-mode substrate integrated coaxial resonator (HMSICR) and its application in bandpass filter (BPF) design. The proposed HMSICR is formed by evenly bisecting a square substrate integrated coaxial resonator (SICR), which is a cavity composed of two dielectric substrates and three metal layers. The SICR’s sidewalls are mimicked by periodically spaced thru-via arrays, and a circular patch is embedded in the middle metal layer of the SICR with the patch shorted to the cavity’s bottom wall by a circular array of blind vias. This HMSICR can drastically lower the cavity’s resonance frequency. The achieved frequency reduction rate of the proposed HMSICR, as compared with that of its conventional substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity counterpart, reaches 70%. A sample four-HMSICR BPF is built for the circuit verification measurement. To further reduce the sample filter’s area, the composing HMSICRs are vertically stacked in a back-to-back configuration. We believe that its obtained size-reduction rate reaches the highest record.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Delayed-Healing Tympanic Membrane Perforations Using Hyaluronate-based Laminas as a Delivery System: An Animal Model With Histopathologic Study.

Bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) improve the healing of chronic tympanic membrane perforations (cTMPs) in an animal model. cTMPs generate significant morbidity and reduced quality of life, usually requiring surgical assistance. With growing interest in alternative therapies, we sought to evaluate the effect of BM-MSC-therapy on the healing of cTMPs. Sixty cTMPs were established in C57Bl/6 mice and randomized into four groups: hyaluronate scaffold as graft plus BM-MSCs (n = 19 ears), scaffold plus cell culture media (n = 16), scaffold plus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, n = 12), and no intervention (n = 13). Hyaluronate scaffolds with or without BM-MSCs were applied on 8-week perforated eardrums. After a blinded assessment of perforation sizes at baseline and 2 weeks after treatment, mean perforation reduction rates (%) were compared. Histology characterization was then performed. Mean perforation size reduction rates were significantly higher for cTMPs that received scaffolds plus BM-MSCs (Student's t test, p = 0.0207, 12.3% [95% CI: 7.8-16.7]) and scaffolds plus cell culture media (p = 0.0477, 11.3% [95% CI: 4.4-18.2]) when compared with no intervention (4.2% [95% CI: 1.2-7.2]). This was not observed when treating eardrums with scaffolds plus PBS (7.3% [95% CI: 2.7-11.9]). On histology, BM-MSC-treated eardrums demonstrated restoration of the trilaminar configuration and reduced inflammatory changes, while other groups developed tissue architecture disorganization and hypercellular infiltrates surrounding the perforation site. BM-MSCs and cell culture media equivalently increased cTMP healing rates. Cell-based therapy conferred a restoration of the trilaminar configuration of the eardrum with relatively compact and organized fibrous layers.

Angiogenic potential and wound healing efficacy of chitosan derived hydrogels at varied concentrations of APTES in chick and mouse models

Chitosan (Cs) based biomaterials seem to be indispensable for neovasculogenesis and angiogenesis that ensure accelerated wound healing. Cs/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) bio-constructs were cross-linked and investigated with varying concentrations of aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). This study comprised of three phases: fabrication of hydrogels, characterization, assessment of angiogenic potential along with toxico-pathological effects, wound healing efficacy in chick and mice, respectively. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM and TGA and the swelling response was examined in different solvents. The hydrogels swelling ratio was decreased with increasing amount of APTES, showed the highest swelling at acidic and basic pH while low swelling at neutral pH. Chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) assay was performed to study in-vivo angiogenesis, toxicological, morphological, biochemical and histological analyses in developing chicks. The results showed remarkably improved angiogenesis with little deviations in morphological, histological features and liver enzymes of chick embryos at higher concentrations of APTES. Besides, full thickness wounds were excised on mice dorsolateral skin to assess the wound healing. The rate of wound size reduction was significantly higher after topical application of hydrogels with elevated levels of crosslinker. Hence, the hydrogels showed enhanced angiogenesis, accelerated wound healing with little or no observable in-vivo toxicity.