T2 Ratio Research Articles

Leveraging Indian pulse proteins for plant‐based mock meat III: physicochemical characterisation, FTIR spectra and texture profile analysis of meat analogues

SummaryThe current study was designed to supersede the meat protein with pulse‐based proteins and to determine the suitability of the processing method for commercialisation of plant protein meat analogues. The pulse protein concentrates (PPCs) were extracted from green gram, horse gram and cowpea using alkaline/isoelectric precipitation method. The PPCs were subjected for physicochemical, morphological, GC–MS and thermal analysis. The PPCs of green gram to horse gram to cowpea were used in the ratio of (20:20:20) T1, (30:15:15) T2 and (15:20:15) T3 to prepare deep‐fried meatballs. All the PPCs exhibited collapsed and wrinkled surface. The horse gram protein concentrates exhibited the highest denaturation temperature (Td °C) 89.50 ± 2.57 and enthalpy (ΔH (J g−1)) (287.73 ± 9.64) iterating better thermal stability compared to other samples. FTIR spectra indicated the presence of O–H stretching wide bands for mutton deep‐fried meatballs (3321.22 cm−1) and plant‐based deep‐fried meatballs (3288.28 cm−1), whereas PPCs in the region of (3275–3278 cm−1). Two C‐H bands and the main secondary structural components such as α‐helix, β‐sheet, β‐turn and random coil of PPCs were observed in the region of 1600–1700 cm−1. Amide N–H bending (1400–1500 cm−1) and the C–O stretching bands (1000–1300 cm−1) were observed for all the samples. The plant‐based deep‐fried meatball formulated at the ratio of 20:20:20 (T1) was closely related to the mutton deep‐fried meatballs in terms of organoleptic properties (colour, texture, juiciness and overall acceptability), colour properties (L* and b*) and textural properties such as hardness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness. These findings will open new research horizons in this area and pave the way for the commercialisation of meat substitutes, which will reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Association of MRI Volume Parameters in Predicting Patient Outcome at Time of Initial Diagnosis of Glioblastoma.

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) may demonstrate varying patterns of infiltration and relapse. Improving the ability to predict these patterns may influence the management strategies at the time of initial diagnosis. This study aims to examine the impact of the ratio (T2/T1) of the non-enhancing volume in T2-weighted images (T2) to the enhancing volume in MRI T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced images (T1gad) on patient outcome. A retrospective audit was performed from established prospective databases in patients managed consecutively with radiation therapy (RT) for GBM between 2016 and 2019. Patient, tumour and treatment-related factors were assessed in relation to outcome. Volumetric data from the initial diagnostic MRI were obtained via the manual segmentation of the T1gd and T2 abnormalities. A T2/T1 ratio was calculated from these volumes. The initial relapse site was assessed on MRI in relation to the site of the original T1gad volume and surgical cavity. The major endpoints were median relapse-free survival (RFS) from the date of diagnosis and site of initial relapse (defined as either local at the initial surgical site or any distance more than 20 mm from initial T1gad abnormality). The analysis was performed for association between known prognostic factors as well as the radiological factors using log-rank tests for subgroup comparisons, with correction for multiple comparisons. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with GBM were managed consecutively with RT between 2016 and 2019 and were eligible for the analysis. The median age was 62 years. Seventy-four percent were managed under a 60Gy (Stupp) protocol, whilst 26% were on a 40Gy (Elderly) protocol. Major neuroanatomical subsites were Lateral Temporal (18%), Anterior Temporal (13%) and Medial Frontal (10%). Median volumes on T1gd and T2 were 20 cm3 (q1-3:8-43) and 37 cm3 (q1-3: 17-70), respectively. The median T2/T1 ratio was 2.1. For the whole cohort, the median OS was 16.0 months (95%CI:14.1-18.0). One hundred and forty-eight patients have relapsed with a median RFS of 11.4 months (95%CI:10.4-12.5). A component of distant relapse was evident in 43.9% of relapses, with 23.6% isolated relapse. Better ECOG performance Status (p = 0.007), greater extent of resection (p = 0.020), MGMT methylation (p < 0.001) and RT60Gy Dose (p = 0.050) were associated with improved RFS. Although the continuous variable of initial T1gd volume (p = 0.39) and T2 volume (p = 0.23) were not associated with RFS, the lowest T2/T1 quartile (reflecting a relatively lower T2 volume compared to T1gd volume) was significantly associated with improved RFS (p = 0.016) compared with the highest quartile. The lowest T2/T1 ratio quartile was also associated with a lower risk of distant relapse (p = 0.031). In patients diagnosed with GBM, the volumetric parameters of the diagnostic MRI with a ratio of T2 and T1gad abnormality may assist in the prediction of relapse-free survival and patterns of relapse. A further understanding of these relationships has the potential to impact the design of future radiation therapy target volume delineation protocols.

Association of proteomic signatures and immunophenotyping profiles with subclinical cardiovascular disease characterised by multimodal imaging in South African systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease associated with autoantibodies (aAb). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality later in the disease course. Protein signatures may have utility in predicting SLE patients at risk of CVD. Purpose To determine the association of aAb protein signatures and plasma markers of immune activation with subclinical CVD in South African SLE patients characterised by multimodal imaging. Methods SLE patients, without known CVD, were recruited from rheumatology clinics. Early cardiovascular (CV) involvement was characterised using carotid ultrasound, echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Commercially available ELISA and Luminex multibead platforms profiled plasma immunophenotyping and CV biomarkers including IL1B, IL6, TNFa, IFNg, MMP9, TIMP1, ICAM1, VCAM1, adiponectin, galectin3, ST2, NTproBNP, hsTropT and hsCRP. We investigated IgG and IgA aAb responses on 2 protein microarrays, first analysing pooled samples on the i-Ome array of over 1600 proteins and second, individual patient samples were analysed on an autoimmune disease array of 50 autoantigens. Raw data were imported and analysed using R. First, loess normalisation of proteomic data was conducted to remove any systematic experimental variation, followed by exploratory analyses on normalised data, then permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) assessed which imaging variables were most influential on aAb profiles and these results were then further analysed using linear modelling. Results 18 SLE patients and 6 controls were included in this exploratory analysis. Mean age was 34±9 years, 89% were women and the most frequent CV risk factors were hypertension, smoking, and dyslipidaemia in 28%, 28% and 17%, respectively. On CMR, 72% of SLE patients were found to have subclinical CVD, predominantly myocardial (72%) and pericardial (22%) involvement. Compared to controls, SLE patients had significantly increased TNFa (p=0.046), VCAM1 (p=0.006), adiponectin (p=0.046) and NTproBNP (p=0.04). On IgG assay proteomic analyses, PERMANOVA results showed that impaired peak longitudinal strain (p=0.03) and the presence of any regional myocardial oedema (T2 ratio &amp;gt;1,9) (p=0.025) were the most influential variables related to peptide aAb profiles, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was the most influential variable related to protein aAb profiles (p=0.075). Linear modelling considering peak longitudinal strain, T2 ratio (Figure 1) and LGE identified a list of 5, 9 and 13 candidate biomarkers respectively for these CMR parameters. Conclusions In South African SLE patients with a high burden of subclinical CVD associated with elevated immunophenotyping markers, we identified imaging parameters that were influential on protein signatures. Linear modelling identified a list of candidate biomarkers associated with CMR indicators of myocardial strain, oedema and fibrosis.Candidate biomarkers

Quality and shelf life evaluation of gluten‐free blends and cake premix

AbstractBakery premixes are composed of a blend of ingredients that offer convenient and quick baking solutions. In the present study, four blends were prepared by taking buckwheat, chickpea, plantain flour, and rice flour in the ratio of (40:20:10:30) T1, (40:20:20:20) T2, (40:20:30:10) T3, and (40:20:40:0) T4. Cake premixes were formulated by adding sugar, baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and glycerol monostearate in the ratio of 60:5:2.5:1:2 in all the four blends. Blends were analyzed for physicochemical, functional, thermal, bioactive, and antioxidant properties, and premixes were evaluated for cake baking quality. The T3 premix was selected based on evaluated parameters, and the prepared cake contained about 5.02% protein, 27.70% fat, and 1.22% fiber. Textural attributes of cake from the premix were comparable to nongluten cakes available in the market. The cake premix T3 remained acceptable in terms of quality with progression of the storage period of 120 days in aluminum laminates under ambient conditions. During storage, the moisture content decreased from 9.52% to 6.72%, the free fatty acid increase was up to 0.117%, and the peroxide value increased up to 0.48 meq O2/kg. The developed gluten‐free premix will provide nutritional, economic, and better texture attributes to the target segment of consumers.

Boosting wheat yield, profitability and NUE with prilled and nano urea in conservation tillage

Rice–wheat production in the Indo-gangetic plains (IGPs) of India faces major concerns such as depleting resources, rice residue burning, excessive fertilizer use, and decreasing nitrogen use efficiency. These issues threaten sustainable crop production in the future. Therefore, a field study was conducted during the winter seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 to evaluate the effect of combined conventional and nano fertilizers on nitrogen application just before or after irrigation to improve wheat productivity, profitability and NUE under conservation tillage. The study evaluated eight treatment combinations of nitrogen application through conventionally applied urea (46% N) and foliar applied nano urea (4% N) under zero tillage with rice residue retention. Results revealed that growth, physiological indices, yield, and quality parameters were enhanced with the application of 150 kg N/ha in three equal splits as basal and just before 1st and 2nd irrigation alone (T2) or along with a spray of nano urea (T5) compared to other treatments. T5 recorded 7.2%, 8.5%, and 7.8% more plant dry matter, number of tillers, and grain yield, respectively, over the conventional practice of applying 150 kg N/ha in three equal splits as basal and 7–10 days after 1st and 2nd irrigation (T3, farmers practice). Although, T2 showed similar results to T5, T5 recorded significantly higher gross ($2542/ha) and net returns ($1279/ha) than the other treatments. However, the benefit–cost ratio of T2 and T5 was same (2.01). A significant and positive correlation coefficient between grain yield and physiological parameters such as CCI and NDVI confirmed that increasing the nitrogen dose enhanced the chlorophyll content, greenness, and plant vigor. Based on the results, it can be concluded that applying 150 kg N/ha in three equal splits as basal and just before 1st and 2nd irrigation under conservation agriculture, along with a single spray of nano urea (4% N) at 60–65 days after sowing, can improve growth, yield attributes, wheat yield, and NUE compared to farmers practice (T3) in India.

Quantitative assessment of anterior talofibular ligament quality in chronic lateral ankle instability using magnetic resonance imaging T2* value.

To determine T2* normal reference values for anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and to investigate the feasibility of the quantitative ATFL quality evaluation in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) using T2* values. This study enrolled 15 patients with CLAI and 30 healthy volunteers. The entire ATFL T2* values from the MRI T2* mapping were measured. The prediction equation (variables: age, height, and weight) in a multiple linear regression model was used to calculate the T2* normal reference value in the healthy group. T2* ratio was defined as the ratio of the actual T2* value of the patient's ATFL to the normal reference value for each patient. A Telos device was used to measure the talar tilt angle (TTA) from the stress radiograph. T2* values of ATFL in the healthy and CLAI groups were 10.82 ± 1.84 ms and 14.36 ± 4.30 ms, respectively, which are significantly higher in the CLAI group (P < 0.05). The prediction equation of the normal reference T2* value was [14.9 + 0.14 × age (years) - 4.7 × height (m) - 0.03 × weight (kg)] (R2 = 0.65, P < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between the T2* ratio and TTA (r = 0.66, P = 0.007). MRI T2* values in patients with CLAI were higher than those in healthy participants, and the T2* ratio correlated with TTA, suggesting that T2* values are promising for quantitative assessment of ATFL quality preoperatively.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPOSTING USING STABILIZING URBAN SEWAGE SLUDGE COMPOUNDS

The purpose of this investigation was to verify the effectiveness of composting in the sanitization of sludge from urban sewage (SS). The treatments (T) used consisted of SS mixed with sugarcane bagasse (SB), tree pruning residues (TP), poultry litter (PL) or grass clipping (GC) at a carbon/nitrogen ratio of approximately 30/1 and ratios of T1 (SS+SB), T2 (SS+SB+TP), T3 (SS+SB+GC), T4 (SS+SB+PL) or T5 (SS+SB+TP+GC). Temperature was measured daily for over 280 days of composting. Every two weeks, the compounds were analyzed for thermotolerant coliforms and viable helminth eggs using the multiple-tube and Yanko techniques; and once each month to identify Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. (oo)cysts using the sucrose and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation technique and nested PCR followed by sequencing. The maximum temperatures measured in the thermophilic phase of the compounds ranged from 55°C to 64.8°C, and at day 280, weight reductions of 27% (T1), 48% (T2), 63% (T3), 66% (T4) and 64% (T5) were observed. The absence of fecal coliforms was observed from day 98 (T4), day 126 (T1), day 196 (T3 and T5) and day 210 (T2). All treatments resulted in helminth egg inviability and the absence of protozoan (oo)cysts. Only T4 and T5 were positive for G. duodenalis according to the sequencing analysis. In conclusion, high temperatures during the composting thermophilic phase made the use of pathogens required by legislation unfeasible; therefore, it is important to investigate the viability of protozoa in compounds to ensure a safe final product for human and animal health.

The T1 Ratio of Marrow (TROM) as a Novel Tool to Identify Metastatic from Nonmalignant Marrow Lesions of the Spine: A Pilot Study.

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze quantitative values of normal and abnormal marrow on T1-weighted images of spine, to propose a ratio for T1 values of abnormal to normal vertebrae, and to assess whether this ratio could be helpful in predicting presence of neoplastic lesions in the spine. Materials and Methods One-hundred randomly selected magnetic resonance imagings of lumbar spine without infection, fracture, and tumor were selected to form normal cohort. A second cohort of 100 metastasis of lumbar spine was identified. Ratio of T1 value of vertebral body to the T1 value of the inferior vertebral body was performed for normal cohort from D11 to L5. Ratio of T1 value of metastasis to adjacent normal vertebral body was done for metastatic cohort. Data was analyzed using standard t -test and kappa was performed for intra- and inter-observer reliability. Results A decline in T1 value of abnormal to normal marrow was seen in patients with metastasis that was statistically significant. We call this the T1 ratio of marrow (TROM). The sensitivity and accuracy with the cutoff value of TROM at 0.7 (92% sensitivity, 97.1% accuracy) are better than at 0.6 (75% sensitivity, 96.2% accuracy) or 0.5 (47% sensitivity, 93.2% accuracy). A subset analysis of the other T1 hypointense benign lesions including atypical hemangiomas and focal marrow hyperplasia, however, revealed overlapping TROM values with the metastatic cohort. Conclusion Using the TROM on T1-weighted images could not confidently differentiate malignant from benign T1 hypointense lesions of the spine.

Right and left ventricular blood pool T2 ratio on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging correlates with hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension

ObjectivesOur objective is to compare the right/left ventricular blood pool T1 ratio (RVT1/LVT1), and right/left ventricular blood pool T2 ratio (RVT2/LVT2) on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) between patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and normal controls, to analyze the correlation of RVT1/LVT1, RVT2/LVT2 and hemodynamics measured with right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients with PH.MethodsForty two patients with PH and 40 gender-and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively included. All patients underwent RHC and CMR within 24 h. The right and left ventricular blood pool T1 and T2 values were respectively measured, and RVT1/LVT1 and RVT2/LVT2 between the PH group and the healthy control were compared. Meanwhile, the correlation between RVT1/LVT1, RV/LVT2 ratio and hemodynamic parameters in patients with PH respectively was analyzed.ResultsIn the control group, RVT2 was significantly lower than LVT2 (t = 6.782, p < 0.001) while RVT1 also was lower than LVT1 (t = 8.961, p < 0.001). In patients with PH, RVT2 was significantly lower than LVT2 (t = 9.802, p < 0.001) while RVT1 was similar to LVT1 (t = − 1.378, p = 0.176). RVT2/LVT2 in the PH group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.001). RVT1/LVT1 in PH patients increased in comparison with the control group (p < 0.001). RVT2/LVT2 negatively correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (r = − 0.506) and positively correlated with cardiac index (r = 0.521), blood oxygen saturation in Superior vena cava, right atrium, right ventricle and pulmonary artery (r = 0.564, 0.603, 0.648, 0.582).ConclusionsRVT2/LVT2 on T2 mapping could be an additional CMR imaging marker that may assist to evaluate the severity of PH.

A magnetic resonance enterography index for assessing small bowel Crohn's disease activity.

This study aimed to construct a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) index for assessing transmural inflammatory activity in the small intestine of patients with Crohn' disease which enables rapid and non-invasive quantitative assessment of Crohn's disease inflammation. In this prospective study, magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) was performed to examine 29 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease who had undergone ileocolonoscopy in the Jingling hospital of Nanjing. This diagnostic study was not registered on a clinical trial platform. We grade the T2 signal ratio and T1 enhancement ratio with a score of 0 to 3. The ratios were calculated as follow: terminal ileal inflammation of intestinal T2 signal intensity/adjacent normal intestinal T2 signal intensity (T2 ratio 1), terminal ileal inflammation intestinal T2 signal intensity/vertical muscle T2 signal intensity (T2 ratio 2), the fifth phase of the inflamed intestinal T1 signal intensity/noncontrast intestine T1 signal (T1 ratio 3), and the fifth phase of inflamed intestinal T1 signal intensity/adjacent normal intestinal T1 signal (T1 ratio 4). Wall thickness, lymph nodes, perimural T2 signal, comb sign, and ulceration were graded from 0 to 3. the simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) from 0 to 12 was used to assess Crohn's disease activity as a reference. The study calculated the correlations between the MRE activity index and endoscopic activity scores and derived the MRE index model to assess Crohn's disease activity. The MRE index model (a T1 ratio 4 score of 1.52 + an ulceration score of 2.03) had a sensitivity of 0.962, a specificity of 0.667, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.968 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.921-1.000]. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the interobserver agreement of the MRE index was 0.921 (95% CI: 0.833-0.963). The study derived an MRE index with good sensitivity to inflammatory changes in the small bowel. The index could be used to assess Crohn's disease activity of the small bowel.

Cardiac MRI-based right-to-left ventricular blood pool T2 relaxation times ratio correlates with exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure

BackgroundMRI T2 mapping has been proven to be sensitive to the level of blood oxygenation. We hypothesized that impaired exercise capacity in chronic heart failure is associated with a greater difference between right (RV) to left ventricular (LV) blood pool T2 relaxation times due to a higher level of peripheral blood desaturation, compared to patients with preserved exercise capacity and to healthy controls. MethodsPatients with chronic heart failure (n = 70) who had undergone both cardiac MRI (CMR) and a 6-min walk test (6MWT) were retrospectively identified. Propensity score matched healthy individuals (n = 35) served as control group. CMR analyses included cine acquisitions and T2 mapping to obtain blood pool T2 relaxation times of the RV and LV. Following common practice, age- and gender-adjusted nominal distances and respective percentiles were calculated for the 6MWT. The relationship between the RV/LV T2 blood pool ratio and the results from 6MWT were evaluated by Spearman's correlation coefficients and regression analyses. Inter-group differences were assessed by independent t-tests and univariate analysis of variance. ResultsThe RV/LV T2 ratio moderately correlated with the percentiles of nominal distances in the 6MWT (r = 0.66) while ejection fraction, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes showed no correlation (r = 0.09, 0.07 and − 0.01, respectively). In addition, there were significant differences in the RV/LV T2 ratio between patients with and without significant post-exercise dyspnea (p = 0.001). Regression analyses showed that RV/LV T2 ratio was an independent predictor of the distance walked and the presence of post-exercise dyspnea (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe proposed RV/LV T2 ratio, obtained by two simple measurements on a routinely acquired four-chamber T2 map, was superior to established parameters of cardiac function to predict exercise capacity and the presence of post-exercise dyspnea in patients with chronic heart failure.

T1 /T2 ratio from 3T MRI improves multiple sclerosis cortical lesion contrast.

Cortical demyelinated lesions are prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS), associated with disability, and have recently been incorporated into MS diagnostic criteria. Presently, advanced and ultrahigh-field MRIs-not routinely available in clinical practice-are the most sensitive methods for detection of cortical lesions. Approaches utilizing MRI sequences obtainable in routine clinical practice remain an unmet need. We plan to assess the sensitivity of the ratio of T1 -weighted and T2 -weighted (T1 /T2 ) signal intensity for focal cortical lesions in comparison to other high-field imaging methods. 3-Tesla and 7-Tesla MRI collected from 10 adults with MS were included in the study. T1 /T2 images were calculated by dividing 3T T1 -weighted (T1 w) images by 3T T2 -weighted (T2 w) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images for each participant. A total of 614 cortical lesions were identified using 7T T2 *w and T1 w images and corresponding voxels were assessed on registered 3T images. Signal intensities were compared across 3T imaging sequences, including T1 /T2 , T1 w, T2 w, and inversion recovery susceptibility-weighted imaging with enhanced T2 weighting (IR-SWIET) images. T1 /T2 images demonstrated a larger contrast between median lesional and nonlesional cortical signal intensity (median ratio=1.29, range: 1.19-1.38) when compared to T1 w (1.01, 0.97-1.10, p<.002), T2 w (1.17, 1.07-1.26, p<.002), and IR-SWIET (1.21, 1.01-1.29, p<.03). T1 /T2 images are sensitive to cortical lesions. Approaches incorporating T1 /T2 could improve the accessibility of cortical lesion detection in research settings and clinical practice.

Novel Approach for Assessing Postinfarct Myocardial Injury and Inflammation Using Hybrid Somatostatin Receptor Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Novel Approach for Assessing Postinfarct Myocardial Injury and Inflammation Using Hybrid Somatostatin Receptor Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Copper(II) complexes of cyclams with N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-aminoalkyl pendant arms as potential probes for 19F magnetic resonance imaging.

A series of Cu(II) complexes with cyclam-based ligands containing two N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-aminoalkyl pendant arms in 1,8-positions (L1: 1,2-ethylene spacer, L2: 1,3-propylene spacer; L3: 1,4-butylene spacer) was studied in respect to potential use as contrast agents for 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A number of structures of the complexes as well as of several organic precursors were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Geometric parameters (especially distances between fluorine atoms and the central metal ion) were determined for each complex and the identity of isomeric complex species present in solution was established. The NMR longitudinal relaxation times (T1) of 19F nuclei in the ligands at clinically relevant fields and temperatures (1-2 s) were significantly shortened upon Cu(II) binding to 7-10 ms for [Cu(L1)]2+, 20-30 ms for [Cu(L2)]2+ and 20-50 ms for [Cu(L3)]2+. The trend of the relaxation time shortening is in accordance with the distance and number of chemical bonds between fluorine atoms and the Cu(II) ion. The signals show promising T2*/T1 ratios in the range 0.25-0.55, assuring their good applicability to 19F NMR/MRI. The results show that even the Cu(II) ion, with a small magnetic moment, causes significant relaxation enhancement with a long-range effect and can be considered as a highly suitable metal ion for efficient 19F MRI contrast agents.

The T1 ratio of marrow (TROM) as a novel tool to identify metastatic from non-malignant marrow lesions of the spine : A pilot study

The T1 ratio of marrow (TROM) as a novel tool to identify metastatic from non-malignant marrow lesions of the spine : A pilot study

Growth Performance and Hematological Characteristics of Wistar Rats Fed Diets Formulated from Three Species of Mollusks (Limicolaria flammea, Viviparus contectus and Egeria radiata) from Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Aim: The present study investigated the performance characteristics and hematological parameters of Wistar rats fed diets formulated from three species of mollusks (Limicolaria flammea, Viviparus contectus and Egeria radiata).&#x0D; Study Design: Twenty-five Wistar rats (negative control, positive control, 3 experimental groups) were used in the 28-days feeding experiment and administered diets as follows: T1-Basal, T2-CerelacTM (Nestle Foods Nigeria Plc), T3- L. flammea, T4- V. contectus and T5- E. radiata.&#x0D; Methodology: Proximate composition of diets and faecal and carcass nitrogen were determined by standard methods while hematological analysis was done using Mindray PC-10 Auto Hematology Analyzer.&#x0D; Results: Crude protein composition of the experimental diets ranged from 6.74±0.03% to 19.58±0.02% in T1 and T5 respectively. T2, T3, T4 and T5 animals had significant weight gain except T1. T3, T4 and T5 had higher total feed consumed values compared to T2. There was no significant difference in feed conversion ratio (FCR) between T2 and experimental diets (T3, T4, T5). T1 had a negative feed conversion ratio (FCR) (-0.03±0.002) and hence significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) than T2, T3, T4 and T5. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was lowest in T5 and highest in cerelac group; Protein efficiency ratio (PER) of T2 was significantly higher (p&lt;.05) than other groups while T1 was significantly lower (p&lt;.05) than other groups. True digestibility (TD) in T4 was higher than other experimental groups (T1, T2, T3, T5). Biological value (BV) showed the following trend: T5&lt;T3&lt;T4&lt;T2. There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in the relative organ weights of the heart, kidney and spleen of rats in this study. Except for T3, all other diets boosted packed cell volume (PCV) levels higher than controls (T1 and T2). T4 animals had higher values for packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) and lower values for monocytes and neutrophils when compared to T1 and T2.&#x0D; Conclusion: The formulated diets thus showed good potential to maintain health (except T3 which showed significant harmful effects on hematological parameters) hence their consumption (after proper cooking) is thus encouraged.

Impact of Blood-Brain Barrier to Delivering a Vascular-Disrupting Agent: Predictive Role of Multiparametric MRI in Rodent Craniofacial Metastasis Models.

Vascular-disrupting agents (VDAs) have shown a preliminary anti-cancer effect in extracranial tumors; however, the therapeutic potential of VDAs in intracranial metastatic lesions remains unclear. Simultaneous intracranial and extracranial tumors were induced by the implantation of rhabdomyosarcoma in 15 WAG/Rij rats. Pre-treatment characterizations were performed at a 3.0 T clinical magnet including a T2 relaxation map, T1 relaxation map, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). Shortly afterward, a VDA was intravenously given and MRI scans at 1 h, 8 h, and 24 h after treatment were performed. In vivo findings were further confirmed by postmortem angiography and histopathology staining with H&E, Ki67, and CD31. Before VDA treatment, better perfusion (AUC30: 0.067 vs. 0.058, p < 0.05) and AUC300 value (0.193 vs. 0.063, p < 0.001) were observed in extracranial lesions, compared with intracranial lesions. After VDA treatment, more significant and persistent perfusion deficiency measured by PWI (AUC30: 0.067 vs. 0.008, p < 0.0001) and a T1 map (T1 ratio: 0.429 vs. 0.587, p < 0.05) were observed in extracranial tumors, in contrast to the intracranial tumor (AUC30: 0.058 vs. 0.049, p > 0.05, T1 ratio: 0.497 vs. 0.625, p < 0.05). Additionally, significant changes in the T2 value and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were observed in extracranial lesions, instead of intracranial lesions. Postmortem angiography and pathology showed a significantly larger H&E-stained area of necrosis (86.2% vs. 18.3%, p < 0.0001), lower CD31 level (42.7% vs. 54.3%, p < 0.05), and lower Ki67 level (12.2% vs. 32.3%, p < 0.01) in extracranial tumors, compared with intracranial lesions. The BBB functioned as a barrier against the delivery of VDA into intracranial tumors and multiparametric MRI may predict the efficacy of VDAs on craniofacial tumors.

CMR-driven immunosuppressive therapy in systemic sclerosis patients with suspected myocarditis: a single-center experience

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) myocarditis is common, but often underrecognized due to absence of symptoms at early stages. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is the imaging modality of choice for detection of SSc myocarditis. Current guidelines recommend CMR in case of alterations in first level cardiologic diagnostic tests. Immunosuppressive therapy is only indicated for patients with organ involvement, i.e. most frequently heart and lung, or with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Purpose To explore the impact of CMR in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway of SSc patients. Methods Of 286 SSc patients referred to our hospital, we retrospectively enrolled patients who received CMR during an observational period of 6 years (2016–2022). Exclusion criteria were previous immunosuppressive therapy and cardiopathy from other cause. Clinical data including Holter-ECG performed within 90 days from CMR were available. Results 39 patients (67 [58–72] years; females 87%) were identified. 15 patients were excluded due to previous immunosuppressive therapy (9), lack of information on therapy (3), cardiopathy from other causes (3). 24 patients were finally included in the study. 14 patients (58%) did not show myocardial inflammation at CMR (LVEF 65.5 [61–69]%, LVEDV 114.5 [92–141] ml, T2 ratio 1.6 [1.4–1.9]). 1 patient presented with mid-wall inferior late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) indicative of previous myocarditis. 1 patient received immunosuppressive therapy due to SSc lung involvement in follow-up. In this group premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) during 24-hours Holter-ECG were rare (29 [3–48]). When measured, high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTnI) was 2.4 [0.8–5] ng/L. 10 patients (42%) showed myocardial inflammation at CMR: LVEF 60 [56–65] %, LVEDV 137,5 [122–166] ml, T2 ratio 2.1 [1.7–2.3], T1 mapping 1022.5 [1010–1036] msec and T2 mapping 50.5 [50–52] msec. Myocardial LGE with non-ischemic pattern was seen in 6 patients. The number of PVCs at 24-hours Holter-ECG was collectively higher in these patients (354 [1–4245]). When measured, hsTnI was 8 [6–18] ng/L. With detection of myocardial inflammation at CMR all 10 patients eventually received immunosuppressive therapy (mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine in case of MMF intolerance). At follow-up CMR performed 4 [3–6] months later on therapy various parameter differences were observed: LVEF (+2 [−2; 4] %), T1 mapping (−23 [−27; −12] msec), T2 mapping (−2 [−4; −1] msec), T2 ratio (−0.5 [−0.6; −0,2]). Of 6 patients with LGE, 4 displayed LGE persistence at follow-up. Conclusions In our experience, CMR was the tool of choice for diagnosis and therapeutic management in SSc patients with suspected cardiac involvement. SSc myocarditis patients tended to display more arrhythmic burden at Holter-ECG and higher cardiac biomarkers. Our data suggest to intensify first level cardiological screening, in order to identify suitable candidates to CMR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging before and after therapeutic interventions for systemic sclerosis-associated myocarditis.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is increasingly used to evaluate cardiac involvement in SSc. We assessed changes, including inflammatory and/or fibrotic myocardial lesions detected by CMRI, following therapeutic interventions for SSc-associated symptomatic myocarditis. In this retrospective study, myocarditis was diagnosed by CMRI (2018 revised Lake Louise criteria) in 14 diffuse and 4 limited SSc patients [16/18 women, age 56 years (s.d. 11), disease duration 8 years (s.d. 11), 17/18 with lung involvement] with cardiac symptoms and abnormal findings on echocardiography (4/18) and/or in 24-hour Holter monitoring (12/14). CMRI was repeated after 8 months (s.d. 3) following administration of cyclophosphamide (n = 11, combined with corticosteroids in 3 and rituximab in 1), mycophenolate (n = 1), tocilizumab (n = 1), methotrexate/corticosteroids (n = 2), corticosteroids (n = 1) or autologous stem cell transplantation (n = 2). Functional cardiac improvement was evident by increases in left [by 5.8% (s.d. 7.8), P = 0.006] and right ventricular ejection fraction [by 4.5% (s.d. 11.4), P = 0.085] in the second CMRI compared with the first. Notably, late gadolinium enhancement, currently considered to denote replacement fibrosis, decreased by 3.1% (s.d. 3.8; P = 0.003), resolving in six patients. Markers of myocardial oedema, namely T2 ratio and T2 mapping, decreased by 0.27 (s.d. 0.40; P = 0.013) and 6.0 (s.d. 7; P = 0.025), respectively. Conversely, both T1 mapping, considered to reflect acute oedema and diffuse fibrosis, and extracellular volume fraction, reflecting diffuse fibrosis, remained unchanged. CMRI may distinguish between reversible inflammatory/fibrotic and irreversible fibrotic lesions in SSc patients with active myocarditis, confirming the unique nature of primary cardiac involvement in SSc. Whether, and how, CMRI should be used to monitor treatment effects in SSc-associated myocarditis warrants further study.

Differentiation of bone metastases from benign red marrow depositions of the spine: the role of fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging compared to fat fraction map.

To differentiate bone metastases (BMs) from benign red marrow depositions (BRMs) of the spine using quantitative parameters derived from fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging (T2 FS) and fat fraction (FF) map METHODS: One hundred eleven lesions, divided into 62 BMs and 49 BRMs according to MR images and either bone scan or PET-CT, were assessed with T2 FS and FF map. Two radiologists independently measured quantitative parameters from the ROIs in the lesions, including fat-suppressed (FS) T2 ratio (ratio of lesion FS T2 signal intensity [SI] to normal marrow FS T2 SI), FF, and FF ratio (ratio of lesion FF to normal marrow FF). The mean values of these parameters were compared between the two groups. To evaluate the diagnostic utilities of individual (FS T2 ratio, FF, and FF ratio) and combined parameters, ROC curves were analyzed. For the ROC curves among the individual parameters and their combinations, AUCs were compared. The FS T2 ratio of BMs was significantly higher than that of BRMs (2.638 vs. 1.155 [p < 0.001]). The FF and FF ratio of BMs were significantly lower than those of BRMs (FF, 3.554% vs. 20.038% [p < 0.001]; FF ratio, 0.072 vs. 0.364 [p < 0.001]). The ROC AUCs of individual and combined parameters ranged from 0.941 to 0.980. The AUCs of all individual parameters and their combinations did not demonstrate statistically significant differences. The FS T2 ratio, FF, and FF ratio can be useful in differentiating BMs from BRMs with or without any combination of the parameters. • Quantitative parameters derived from fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging and fat fraction map could be used to differentiate bone metastases from benign red marrow depositions with or without any combination of the parameters. • Quantitative parameters of fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging provide diagnostic performance similar to those of fat fraction map in differentiating bone metastases from benign red marrow depositions.