Measurement Of Wall Thickness Research Articles

Echocardiography E/A Abnormality is Associated with the Development of Primary Left Ventricle Remodeling in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women: A Longitudinal Study.

Impaired left ventricular (LV) relaxation is indicative of grade I diastolic dysfunction, which is mainly assessed by late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A ratio). Although the E/A ratio has important diagnostic and prognostic implications with cardiac outcomes, the causal link between abnormal E/A ratio and left ventricle remodeling (LV remodeling) remains unclear. A longitudinal analysis of 869 eligible women aged ≥45 years, who had received echocardiography scans as well as 5-year follow-up assessments between 2015 and 2020. Women with pre-existing cardiac abnormalities including grade II/III diastolic dysfunction as diagnosed by echocardiography, or structural heart disease were excluded. E/A abnormality was defined as baseline E/A ratio <0.8. The classification of LV remodeling was based on the measurements of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT). Logistic and linear regression models were used. Among the 869 women (60.71±10.01 years), 164 (18.9%) had developed LV remodeling after the 5-year follow-up. The proportion of women with E/A abnormality versus non-abnormality was also significantly different (27.13% vs 16.59%, P=0.007). Multivariable-adjusted regression models showed that E/A abnormality (OR: 4.14, 95%Cl:1.80-9.20, P=0.009) was significantly associated with higher risk of concentric hypertrophy (CH) after follow-up. No such association was found in either concentric remodeling (CR) or eccentric hypertrophy (EH). Higher baseline E/A ratio was correlated with lower ΔRWT during the 5-year follow-up (β=-0.006 m/s, 95% CI: -0.012 to -0.002, P=0.025), which was independent of demographics and biological factors. E/A abnormality is associated with a higher risk of CH. Higher baseline E/A ratio may be associated with decreased relative changes in RWT.

The gallbladder wall thickness in correlation with portal hemodynamic changes in cirrhotic patients

Background The gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) is affected by portal hypertension, so GBWT can predict portal hemodynamic changes. Aim To determine whether noninflammatory GBWT correlates with portal hemodynamic changes and esophageal varices (EV) in cirrhotic patients. Patients and methods A total of 80 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients consisted of 30 cirrhotic patients with EV, 30 cirrhotic patients without EV, and 20 noncirrhotic individuals as a control group. Complete blood count, liver function tests, hepatitis C virus antibody, and HBsAg were assessed. Child–Pugh score was calculated in cirrhotic patients. Moreover, abdominal ultrasonography was performed for measuring wall thickness of the gallbladder, spleen length, and portal vein diameter. Moreover, portal vein Doppler was done for portal blood mean flow velocity measurement. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy was done. Results GBWT was significantly increased in cirrhotic patients with EV compared with cirrhotic patients with without EV and noncirrhotic individuals (P&lt;0.001). Moreover, GBWT was significantly correlated with spleen length, portal vein diameter, and portal velocity in cirrhotic patients with EV (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion The GBWT could be one of the simple noninvasive predictors of portal hypertension and EV as it was positively correlated with portal hemodynamic changes that accompany cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Evaluation of the normal gastrointestinal tract in cats using dual-phase computed tomography.

In cats, although ultrasonography remains the preferred modality to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract, computed tomographic (CT) examination of the abdomen is commonly performed. However, a normal description of the gastrointestinal tract is lacking. This study describes the conspicuity and contrast enhancement pattern of the normal gastrointestinal tract in cats using dual-phase CT. Pre- and dual-phase postcontrast (early scan at 30 seconds and late scan mean at 84seconds) abdominal CT exams of 39 cats without history, clinical signs or diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease were reviewed. The gastrointestinal tract was examined for conspicuity and enhancement pattern using commercially available viewing software (Osirix, v.6.5.2), and diameters of 16 gastrointestinal segments were recorded and compared with published radiographic and ultrasonographic reference values. Of the 624 gastrointestinal segments, 530 (84.9%) were identified on precontrast studies and 545 (87.3%) segments on postcontrast studies. Of the gastrointestinal wall segments, 257 (41.2%) were identified on precontrast studies and 314 (50.3%) on postcontrast studies. Gastrointestinal segment diameters correlated well with published normal values, whereas wall thickness measurements usually were smaller compared with sonographic normal values. Early mucosal surface enhancement was frequently seen in the gastric cardia and fundus and ileocolic junction, and a mainly transmural wall enhancement in other gastrointestinal segments. Dual-phase CT allows for the identification of gastrointestinal tract segments and walls in cats. Contrast enhancement improves conspicuity and demonstrates wall layering in the cardia, fundus and ileocolic junction.

Prediction of internal fixation failure of femoral trochanteric fracture by external wall morphology

To investigate the relationship between the shape of the lateral wall and the early failure of internal fixation in the fracture of the femoral trochanteric region(FFT). Total 295 patients with femoral trochanteric fracture underwent internal fixation from January 2015 to January 2020 were selected. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether there was early internal fixation failure after surgery, 19 patients in the failure group and 276 patients in the normal group. Gender, affected side, age, AO classification, body mass index(BMI), preoperative hemoglobin, X-ray measurement of lower lateral wall thickness, preoperative internal diseases, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative tip apex distance(TAD), postoperative neck shaft angle, operation time and other data were compared between two groups. The shape of the lateral wall was compared between two groups, and the correlation between the shape of the lateral wall and the early internal fixation failure of femoral trochanteric fracture was analyzed. All patients were followed up for more than 1 year. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative TAD, and postoperative neck shaft angle(P>0.05). At the latest follow-up, the visual anaglue scale (VAS) of the failure group was higher than that of the normal group(P<0.01), and the Harris score of the failure group was lower than that of normal group(P<0.05). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve between shape of lateral wall and failure of early internal fixation of femoral trochanteric fracture was drawn. The critical value of the midpoint lateral wall thickness was 16.5 mm, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.845;The critical value of average sidewall thickness was 16.5 mm, and the area under ROC curve was 0.838;The critical value of the axial area of the sidewall was 7.5 mm, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.826. The shape of the lateral femoral wall measured by CT could be used as a predictive factor for the early failure of internal fixation of femoral trochanteric fractures. For patients at risk, more reasonable surgical plans and postoperative preventive measures should be developed.

Investigation and analysis of fracture failure of TS-110 coiled tubing used in oil and gas field in southwest China

TS-110 coiled tubings used in drilling operations rarely fracture and fail after only five cycles. In this study, a failed coiled tubing was analysed by conducting various experiments. The experiments included macroscopic observation, outside diameter and wall thickness measurement, physical and chemical inspection, magnetic particle inspection, Vickers hardness test, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results revealed a band structure composed of granular bainite and martensite at the centre of the wall thickness. In addition, the formation of martensite influenced the uniformity of local tensile properties. During coiled tubing operations, martensite with undesirable plasticity cracked and formed microscopic voids which continued to expand. Finally, when the coiled tubing was lifted to the tubing reel for bending deformation, the tensile stress on the outer arc surface reached its maximum value. Moreover, the cracks in this part first penetrated the wall thickness, which triggered cracking and tubing failure.

Study Investigates Casing Wear in the Culzean Field

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 206221, “Casing Wear: Prediction, Monitoring, Analysis, and Management in the Culzean Field,” by Florian Aichinger, SPE, Loic Brillaud, SPE, and Ben Nobbs, SPE, H&amp;P Technologies, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ This paper presents predicted vs. measured wear for six wells in the Culzean field, a high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) gas condensate field in the central North Sea. The focus of the complete paper is on the monitoring and analyzing process, particularly how to use offset data to improve accuracy of casing-wear prediction. Field and Well Background Wells in the Culzean field are quite deep, with a measured depth (MD) of 15,000–16,500 ft, and are J-shaped with a slight sail angle (inclination 30–40°). These features result in significant tension loads at the buildup and, potentially, at unplanned curvatures in the vertical section. Combined with possibly high rotating hours, these factors create a considerable risk of high casing wear. Additionally, a challenging pressure regime is present. The steep pressure-transition zone (PTZ) overlying the target reservoir, and the expected predrilled narrow mud-weight window between the pore pressure and formation at the top of the Pentland reservoir of 0.060 ppg, called for a new well-design approach. To address this challenge, the production casing was designed as a 10-in. production liner and a 10¾×10-in. tieback production string. The well design and operations plan required drilling both 12¼- and 8½-in. sections without the 10¾×10-in. tieback production string installed. Consequently, the 14×13⅝-in. intermediate casing could be exposed to higher pressures than usual. Extensive work was performed to enhance casing-wear prediction and to determine the likelihood of failure if a well-control risk materialized. The 12¼-in. section and 10-in. production liner shoe were placed as deeply as possible into the PTZ in the Upper Valhall/Tuxen formation. An appreciable risk was the possibility of a kick while drilling the 12¼-in. section from the Pentland reservoir. The most extreme well-control event the 14×13⅝-in. intermediate casing could experience, however, would have been a well-full-of-gas event while drilling the 8½-in. section. The assessment of the risk associated with such an event was addressed by careful attention to an assessment of casing wear and remaining casing wall thickness and the probability of failure of the 14×13⅝-in. casing, assuming that the casing was worn. The failure-probability assessment of the 14×13⅝-in. intermediate casing was performed using a reliability-based design approach using survival design principles and probability-of-failure estimation. Methodology: Wear Computation and Measurement Analysis of casing wear between a drillstring and the inner surface of casing requires application of an appropriate casing-wear model. A stiff-string model, as used in this work, is advantageous because it can consider pipe clearance, pipe stiffness, and axial and radial casing contact-point location. The simulation uses an adaptable 3D mesh, allowing the calculation of wear in all radial orientations for every chosen MD. The multifinger-caliper-log (MFCL) interpretation methodology uses inner-diameter measurements to calculate an ellipse that best fits the casing shape. The methodology does not require a base log and increases accuracy compared with the traditional method of comparing the maximum inner diameter of MFCL logs taken before and after drilling. The methodology also can be applied to sonic logs as a second information source apart from the direct wall-thickness measurement if the latter is not available. A detailed overview of this process is included in the complete paper.

Sonographic gallbladder wall thickness measurement and the prediction of esophageal varices among cirrhotics.

Acute variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) is the most serious emergency complication among those patients and could have catastrophic ‎outcomes if not timely managed. ‎Early screening by esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) for the presence of esophageal varices (EVs) is ‎‎currently recommended by the practice guidelines for all cirrhotic patients. Meanwhile, EGD is not readily accepted or preferred by many patients. The literature is rich in ‎studies to investigate and validate ‎ non-invasive markers of EVs prediction aiming at reducing the unneeded endoscopic procedures. Gallbladder (GB) wall thickness (GBWT) ‎measurement has been found promising in many published research ‎articles. We aim to highlight the validity of sonographic GBWT measurement in the ‎prediction of EVs based on the available evidence.‎ We searched databases including Cochrane library, PubMed, Web of Science and many others for relevant articles. GBWT is associated with the presence of EVs in cirrhotic patients with PHT of different etiologies. The cut-off of GBWT that can predict the presence of EVs varied in the literature and ranges from 3.1 mm to 4.35 mm with variable sensitivities of 46%-90.9% and lower cut-offs in viral cirrhosis compared to non-viral, however GBWT > 4 mm in many studies is associated with acceptable sensitivity up to 90%. Furthermore, a relation was also noticed with the degree of varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy. Among cirrhotics, GBWT > 3.5 mm predicts the presence of advanced (grade III-IV) EVs with a sensitivity of 45%, the sensitivity increased to 92% when a cut-off ≥ 3.95 mm was used in another cohort. Analysis of these results should carefully be revised in the context of ascites, hypoalbuminemia and other intrinsic GB diseases among cirrhotic patients. The sensitivity for prediction of EVs improved upon combining GBWT measurement with other non-invasive predictors, e.g., platelets/GBWT.

Simultaneous Highly Efficient Contrast-Free Lumen and Vessel Wall MR Imaging for Anatomical Assessment of Aortic Disease.

Bright-blood lumen and black-blood vessel wall imaging are required for the comprehensive assessment of aortic disease. These images are usually acquired separately, resulting in long examinations and potential misregistration between images. To characterize the performance of an accelerated and respiratory motion-compensated three-dimensional (3D) cardiac MRI technique for simultaneous contrast-free aortic lumen and vessel wall imaging with an interleaved T2 and inversion recovery prepared sequence (iT2Prep-BOOST). Prospective. A total of 30 consecutive patients with aortopathy referred for a clinically indicated cardiac MRI examination (9 females, mean age ± standard deviation: 32 ± 12 years). 1.5-T; bright-blood MR angiography (diaphragmatic navigator-gated T2-prepared 3D balanced steady-state free precession [bSSFP], T2Prep-bSSFP), breath-held black-blood two-dimensional (2D) half acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE), and 3D bSSFP iT2Prep-BOOST. iT2Prep-BOOST bright-blood images were compared to T2prep-bSSFP images in terms of aortic vessel dimensions, lumen-to-myocardium contrast ratio (CR), and image quality (diagnostic confidence, vessel sharpness and presence of artifacts, assessed by three cardiologists on a 4-point scale, 1: nondiagnostic to 4: excellent). The iT2Prep-BOOST black-blood images were compared to 2D HASTE images for quantification of wall thickness. A visual comparison between computed tomography (CT) and iT2Prep-BOOST was performed in a patient with chronic aortic dissection. Paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Bright-blood iT2Prep-BOOST resulted in significantly improved image quality (mean ± standard deviation 3.8 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.8) and CR (2.9 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 0.5) compared with T2Prep-bSSFP, with a shorter scan time (7.8 ± 1.7minutes vs. 12.9 ± 3.4minutes) while providing a complementary 3D black-blood image. Aortic lumen diameter and vessel wall thickness measurements in bright-blood and black-blood images were in good agreement with T2Prep-bSSFP and HASTE images (<0.02 cm and <0.005 cm bias, respectively) and good intrareader (ICC > 0.96) and interreader (ICC > 0.94) agreement was observed for all measurements. iT2Prep-BOOST might enable time-efficient simultaneous bright- and black-blood aortic imaging, with improved image quality compared to T2Prep-bSSFP and HASTE imaging, and comparable measurements for aortic wall and lumen dimensions. 2. Stage 2.

Relationships Between Intestinal Ultrasound Parameters and Histopathologic Findings in a Prospective Cohort of Patients With Crohn's Disease Undergoing Surgery.

Recognition of intestinal lesions with substantial fibrosis is strategic for optimal management of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We aimed to assess the relationships between intestinal ultrasound parameters and histopathologic findings in a prospective cohort of patients with CD undergoing surgery. Seventeen consecutive adult CD patients with involvement of the terminal ileum or the sigmoid colon who underwent bowel resective surgeries were enrolled and performed intestinal ultrasound (IUS) within 30 days prior to surgery. Uni- and multivariable analyses were used to assess the relationships between IUS parameters and histopathological elements of lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV (95% CI) of IUS in detecting stricturing and penetrating complications (surgical specimen as reference standard) were 93% (68-100), 86% (42-100), 91% (71-99), 93% (68-100) and 86% (42-100), and 78% (40-97), 92% (64-100), 86% (65-97), 88% (47-100) and 86% (57-98), respectively. Only the presence of hyperechogenic spiculates was statistically significantly associated with collagen content (b=7.29, 95% CI=1.88/12.69, P= .012), while only the presence of vascular signals at color Doppler (Limberg score 3 or 4) was significantly associated with active inflammation (OR=10.0, 95% CI=0.9/108.6, P= .037). There was a strong correlation between IUS and histological measurements of the wall thickness (r= 0.67, P= .01). The presence of hyperechogenic spiculates was associated with the presence of fibrosis, while the presence of marked vascular signals was associated with the presence of inflammation. Wall thickness measured by IUS was reliable and reproducible in comparison with histological measurement.

Comparison of echocardiography, biomarkers and taurine concentrations in cats eating high- or low-pulse diets.

There are ongoing investigations into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but there has been minimal investigation into possible diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac size and function, cardiac biomarkers and taurine concentrations in healthy cats eating high- vs low-pulse diets. We hypothesized that cats eating high-pulse diets would have larger hearts, lower systolic function and higher biomarker concentrations than cats eating low-pulse diets and that there would be no difference in taurine concentrations between the diet groups. Echocardiographic measurements, cardiac biomarkers, and plasma and whole-blood taurine concentrations were compared between cats eating high- and low-pulse commercial dry diets in a cross-sectional study. There were no differences between the high- (n = 21) and low-pulse (n = 31) diet groups with regard to age, sex and breed, but more cats in the high-pulse group were overweight or obese (67% vs 39%; P = 0.05). Diet duration was not different in the groups, but the range was wide (6-120 months). No differences were found between the diet groups for key cardiac measurements, biomarker concentrations, or plasma or whole-blood taurine concentrations. However, there were significant negative correlations between diet duration and measures of left ventricular wall thickness in the high-pulse, but not the low-pulse, diet group. This study did not detect significant associations between high-pulse diets and cardiac size, function and biomarkers, but the secondary observation of significant negative correlations between time on high-pulse diets and left ventricular wall thickness warrants further evaluation.

P372 Endoscopic ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Abstract Background Background &amp; Aim: Differential diagnosis between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) could be a challenge, since the endoscopic and clinical characteristics of both may resemble. Furthermore, radiological methods do not provide complete information.To assess the possibilities of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS, endosonography) for the differential diagnosis between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in doubtful or controversial cases. Methods Methods: We examined 50 IBD patients during the active phase: CD-28 patients (M: W=16:12,average age 27.3 ± 0.7 years), UC-22 patients (M: W=8:14, average age 32 .6 ±1.7 years). The control group included 15 patients without UC or CD. All patients underwent EUS colonoscopy for measurement of wall thickness, assessment vascularization degree and compression elastography was perform. Results Results.It was found that wallthickness in CD was 5.66 ± 0.36 mm, was 1.5 times more than in UC (3.96 mm ± 0.13 mm) and 2 times more than in controls(2, 62 ± 0.11mm). Frequency of all intestinallayers in CD was noted in 68% vs 9% in UC (p &amp;lt; 0.02). On the contrary, in UC, wall thickening due to the mucosa and submucosa was significantly more common than in CD (82% and 7.2%, respectively, p &amp;lt; 0.05). Vascularizationdegree of colon wall in UC in most cases was reduced, while in CD, on the contrary, it was increased. According to elastometry, type 1 staining according to Ueno E., corresponding to the soft-elastic structure of colon wall, was detected in UC in 78% of cases, in CD in 54%. Type 2 according to Ueno E. was verified in 22% in UC, in 45% in CD, which indicates the presence of fibrosis foci in colon wall, mainly in CD patients. Conclusion Conclusion. The obtained EUS data can be as criteria for differential diagnosis between UC and CD in compound cases and clarify the presence and degree of fibrosis, for example, if strictures in CD.

Differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases by endoscopic ultrasound

Rationale: At present, there is no established standard for the differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Five to 15% of the patients have clinical, endoscopic, morphological, and radiological signs both of UC and CD and are therefore diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. However, the timely and correct diagnosis is essential for the choice of treatment strategy.&#x0D; Aim: To evaluate the potential of endoscopic ultrasound examination (EUS) for the differential diagnosis of UC and CD and to identify the most pathognomonic criteria for each of the disorders.&#x0D; Materials and methods: This was a prospective single center controlled study including 50 in-patients who were treated in the Department of Gastroenterology for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbation. The inclusion criteria were an established diagnosis of IBD, absence of strictures, colon tumors, and infectious diseases. The control group consisted of 15 patients without IBD. In all patients, colon EUS with a radial ultrasound sensor and measurement of the intestinal wall thickness, assessment of the degree of intestinal wall vascularization by color Doppler mapping and measurement of the wall density by compression elastography were performed.&#x0D; Results: From 50 patients of the study group, 28 (16 men and 12 women aged 18 to 49 years) had CD of the colon and 22 (8 men and 14 women aged 22 to 60 years) had total UC. In CD, the colon wall thickness was 2-fold higher than in the control group (5.66 0.36 vs 2.62 0.11; р 0.001) and 1.5-fold higher than in the UC patients (5.66 0.36 vs 3.96 0.13; p = 0.002). In UC, the intestinal wall was thickened mainly due to its mucosal and submucosal layers (in 82% of the cases, р 0.001 compared to that in the CD patients; diagnostic sensitivity 82%, specificity 93%). In CD, transmural thickening of the intestinal wall was more common (in 68% of the cases, p 0.001 compared to that in UC; sensitivity 68%, specificity 91%), as differentiation of the intestinal wall layers was absent (in 68% of the cases, p 0.001 compared to UC, sensitivity 68%, specificity 100%). The intestinal wall in most cases of UC was less well vascularized that in the control group (54.6% of the cases, p 0.001), whereas in CD, on the contrary, the vascularization was increased (71.4% of the cases, р 0.001); the sensitivity and specificity of this parameter being 54.6 and 82%, for UC vs 71.4 and 77.3% for CD, respectively). Compression elastometry showed that in CD, type 2 staining (E. Ueno classification) was more frequent (45%) compared to UC (22%) and the control group (6%; p = 0.002), which indicates a more dense structure of the intestinal wall in CD patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: The differences in the intestinal wall structure (its thickness, density and degree of vascularization) identified by EUS UC and CD can be the differential diagnostic criteria between these diseases.

Cardiac magnetic resonance in giant cell myocarditis: a matched comparison with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy akin to cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). We decided to study the findings of GCM on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and to compare GCM with CS. CMR studies of 18 GCM patients were analyzed and compared with 18 CS controls matched for age, sex, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and presenting cardiac manifestations. The analysts were blinded to clinical data. On admission, the duration of symptoms (median) was 0.2 months in GCM vs. 2.4 months in CS (P = 0.002), cardiac troponin T was elevated (>50 ng/L) in 16/17 patients with GCM and in 2/16 with CS (P < 0.001), their respective median plasma B-type natriuretic propeptides measuring 4488 ng/L and 1223 ng/L (P = 0.011). On CMR imaging, LV diastolic volume was smaller in GCM (177 ± 32 mL vs. 211 ± 58 mL, P = 0.014) without other volumetric or wall thickness measurements differing between the groups. Every GCM patient had multifocal late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in a distribution indistinguishable from CS both longitudinally, circumferentially, and radially across the LV segments. LGE mass averaged 17.4 ± 6.3% of LV mass in GCM vs 25.0 ± 13.4% in CS (P = 0.037). Involvement of insertion points extending across the septum into the right ventricular wall, the "hook sign" of CS, was present in 53% of GCM and 50% of CS. In GCM, CMR findings are qualitatively indistinguishable from CS despite myocardial inflammation being clinically more acute and injurious. When matched for LV dysfunction and presenting features, LV size and LGE mass are smaller in GCM.

Switching Kalman Filtering-Based Corrosion Detection and Prognostics for Offshore Wind-Turbine Structures

Since manual inspections of offshore wind turbines are costly, there is a need for remote monitoring of their health condition, including health prognostics. In this paper, we focus on corrosion detection and corrosion prognosis since corrosion is a major failure mode of offshore wind turbine structures. In particular, we propose an algorithm for corrosion detection and three algorithms for corrosion prognosis by using Bayesian filtering approaches, and quantitatively compare their accuracy against synthetic datasets having characteristics typical for wall thickness measurements using ultrasound sensors. We found that a corrosion prognosis algorithm based on the Pourbaix corrosion model using unscented Kalman filtering outperforms the algorithms based on a linear corrosion model and the bimodal corrosion model introduced by Melchers.

Corrections to “Three-Dimensional Atrial Wall Thickness Measurement Algorithm From a Segmented Atrial Wall Using a Partial Differential Equation”

In the above article <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[1]</xref> , we proposed an automated process for the atrial wall thickness (AWT) measurement method including Poisson-based boundary detection, which is an extension of the previous study <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[2]</xref> that proposed the AWT method using the Laplace’s equation. Unfortunately, we accidently omitted citing our previous work in the part of describing the Laplace-based AWT measurement research. Therefore, our previous article <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[2]</xref> should be additionally cited in the following sentence of the introduction: “Although the WT measurements have evolved … to Laplace-based solutions [14].”

Complementary Value of Tissue Doppler Imaging in Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: In patients with Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD), the presence of viable myocardium predicts the recovery of Left Ventricular (LV) systolic function after revascularisation. The identification of myocardial viability during dobutamine stress echocardiography is subjective and with observer bias. Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) echocardiography has opened new possibilities for non-invasive quantification of myocardial function by directly interrogating myocardial velocity with high temporal and spatial resolution. Aim: To determine the baseline regional myocardial and mitral annular Maximum Systolic Velocities (MSV) in patients with LV dysfunction and to compare the MSV values in viable and nonviable myocardium. Materials and Methods: In this prospective Cohort study, TDI of regional and annular LV myocardial velocities was performed at the baseline (at rest) in 352 patients with CAD and LV dysfunction who were referred for Dobutamine stress Echocardiography. Viability assessment by 2 Dimensional (2D) methods was done simultaneously using routine Dobutamine stress protocol. Patients were grouped in two groups based on the presence or absence of viability with 2D stress echocardiography. TDI velocities were compared in the two groups of patients with and without myocardial viability. Measurements of regional wall thickness, Ejection Fraction(EF) and Wall Motion Score Index (WMSI) were done to assess the regional and global LV function in these patients. Those patients who underwent revascularisation were subsequently assessed for functional recovery by 2D and TDI echocardiography before discharge from the hospital. Analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) version 16.0. Results: Among 352 patients studied (124 females and 228 males), mean age 58 years (range 36 to 75 years). A total of 243 patients (69%) with viable myocardium as per 2D echocardiography had higher cut-off Baseline Regional Maximum Systolic Velocity (BRMSV) &gt;0.03 m/s and baseline mitral annular systolic velocity &gt;0.06 m/s with high sensitivity and specificity compared to patients with severe contractile dysfunction and non-viable myocardium. Conclusion: Tissue doppler parameters like regional myocardial systolic and mitral annular velocities have shown significantly higher cut-off values in those patients with ischaemic and viable myocardium compared to non-viable myocardium.

Standardized airway wall thickness Pi10 from routine CT scans of COPD patients as imaging biomarker for disease severity, lung function decline, and mortality.

Chest computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for phenotyping and monitoring of patients with COPD. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association of Pi10 as a measure of standardized airway wall thickness on CT with exacerbations, mortality, and response to triple therapy. Patients of GOLD grades 1-4 of the COSYCONET cohort with prospective CT scans were included. Pi10 was automatically computed and analyzed for its relationship to COPD severity, comorbidities, lung function, respiratory therapy, and mortality over a 6-year period, using univariate and multivariate comparisons. We included n = 433 patients (61%male). Pi10 was dependent on both GOLD grades 1-4 (p = 0.009) and GOLD groups A-D (p = 0.008); it was particularly elevated in group D, and ROC analysis yielded a cut-off of 0.26 cm. Higher Pi10 was associated to lower FEV1 % predicted and higher RV/TLC, moreover the annual changes of lung function parameters (p < 0.05), as well as to an airway-dominated phenotype and a history of myocardial infarction (p = 0.001). These associations were confirmed in multivariate analyses. Pi10 was lower in patients receiving triple therapy, in particular in patients of GOLD groups C and D. Pi10 was also a significant predictor for mortality (p = 0.006), even after including multiple other predictors. In summary, Pi10 was found to be predictive for the course of the disease in COPD, in particular mortality. The fact that Pi10 was lower in patients with severe COPD receiving triple therapy might hint toward additional effects of this functional therapy on airway remodeling. ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01245933.

Correlation of Fetal Anterior Abdominal Wall Thickness and Other Standard Biometric Ultrasound Measurements to Predict Fetal Macrosomia in Gestational Diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical conditions affecting pregnancy and significantly increasing the risk for maternal and perinatal complications. The aim of the present study is to study the correlation of fetal anterior abdominal wall thickness (FAAWT) and other standard fetal biometric parameters measured by ultrasound between 36 and 39 weeks of gestation with neonatal birth weight in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Prospective cohort study in a tertiary care center including 100 singleton pregnancies with GDM were subjected to ultrasound between 36 and 39 weeks of gestation. Standard fetal biometry (Biparietal diameter, Head Circumference, Abdominal circumference [AC], and Femur Length) and estimated fetal weight were calculated. FAAWT was measured at AC section and actual neonatal birth weights were recorded after delivery. Macrosomia was defined as an absolute birth weight more than 4000 g regardless of the gestational age. Statistical analysis was done and 95% confidence level was considered significant. Among 100 neonates, 16 were macrosomic (16%) and third trimester mean FAAWT was significantly higher in macrosomic babies (6.36 ± 0.5 mm) as compared to nonmacrosomic babies (5.54 ± 0.61 mm) (P < 0.0001). FAAWT >6 mm (Receiver operating characteristic curve derived) provided a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 40%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.9% for prediction of macrosomia. While other standard fetal biometric parameters did not correlate well with actual birth weight in macrosomic neonates, only FAAWT was found to have statistically significant correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.626, P = 0.009). The FAAWT was the only sonographic parameter to have a significant correlation with neonatal birth weight in macrosomic neonates of GDM mothers. We found a high sensitivity (87.5%), specificity (75%), and NPV (96.9%) suggesting that FAAWT < 6 mm can rule out macrosomia in pregnancies with GDM.

The Impact of Cystic Fibrosis- and Noncystic Fibrosis-Bronchiectasis on Pulmonary Artery Wall Thickness and Right Heart Functions Assessed by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

Right heart functions are affected in patients with bronchiectasis as a result of pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxemia. Pulmonary artery wall thickness has recently been introduced as a sign of intensive and prolonged inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze right ventricular and right atrial functions and to mea-sure pulmonary artery wall thickness in patients with cystic fibrosis-bronch iecta sis in comparison to those with noncystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis and healthy individuals. We studied 36 patients with cystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis, 34 patients with noncystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis, and 32 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Lung function tests were performed. All subjects underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation including conventional, tissue Doppler, speckle-tracking, and pulmonary artery wall thickness measurements. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain and global longitudinal right atrial strain during ventricular systole decreased in cystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis group compared with noncystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis and control groups (P <.001, both). Conversely, pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased in cystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis group in comparison to other groups (P <.001). Moreover, right ventricular global longitudinal strain was lower and pulmonary artery wall thickness was higher in patients with airflow obstruction (P <.001 and P =.025, respectively) than in those without. Only right ventricular global longitudinal strain was significantly correlated with pulmonary function test parameters. The negative effect of cystic fibrosis on right ventricular and right atrial functions was independent of age, gender, and disease duration. Our study showed that right ventricular and right atrial functions were deteriorated and pulmonary artery wall was thickened in cystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis patients more than noncystic fibrosis-bronchiectasis patients. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain detected subclinical right ventricular dysfunction and was associated with the severity of pulmonary disease.

電磁超音波共鳴法による腐食減肉試験片の肉厚計測精度向上のための信号処理法の検討

電磁超音波共鳴法による腐食減肉試験片の肉厚計測精度向上のための信号処理法の検討