Category: Nevin Manimala

Neuroradiology. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s00234-025-03732-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a devastating motor neuron disease characterized by its diagnostic difficulty. Currently, no reliable biomarkers exist in the diagnosis process. In this scenario, our purpose is the application of machine learning algorithms to imaging MRI-derived variables for the development of diagnostic models that facilitate and shorten the process.

METHODS: A dataset of 211 patients (114 ALS, 45 mimic, 22 genetic carriers and 30 control) with MRI-derived features of volumetry, cortical thickness and local iron (via T2* mapping, and visual assessment of susceptibility imaging). A binary classification task approach has been taken to classify patients with and without ALS. A sequential modeling methodology, understood from an iterative improvement perspective, has been followed, analyzing each group’s performance separately to adequately improve modelling. Feature filtering techniques, dimensionality reduction techniques (PCA, kernel PCA), oversampling techniques (SMOTE, ADASYN) and classification techniques (logistic regression, LASSO, Ridge, ElasticNet, Support Vector Classifier, K-neighbors, random forest) were included. Three subsets of available data have been used for each proposed architecture: a subset containing automatic retrieval MRI-derived data, a subset containing the variables from the visual analysis of the susceptibility imaging and a subset containing all features.

RESULTS: The best results have been attained with all the available data through a voting classifier composed of five different classifiers: accuracy = 0.896, AUC = 0.929, sensitivity = 0.886, specificity = 0.929.

CONCLUSION: These results confirm the potential of ML techniques applied to imaging variables of volumetry, cortical thickness, and local iron for the development of diagnostic model as a clinical tool for decision-making support.

PMID:40779173 | DOI:10.1007/s00234-025-03732-9

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11922-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of virtual non-calcium (VNCa) imaging using photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) with MRI in assessing lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with low back pain underwent PCD-CT and MRI within 2 h. Quantitative analysis included VNCa-derived CT values and T2 relaxation times in manually placed regions of interest. Qualitative assessment focused on diagnostic accuracy for LDH and root impingement using grayscale and color-coded VNCa images.

RESULTS: A total of 68 participants (51.8% female; mean age, 48 ± 14 years) were included. A significant negative correlation was observed between VNCa CT and MRI T2 values (r = -0.705, p < 0.001), strongest in the nucleus pulposus. Compared with grayscale CT, color-coded VNCa imaging significantly improved sensitivity (81-94%), specificity (84-95%), and accuracy (84-95%) for detecting LDH (all comparisons, p < 0.001); and improved sensitivity (82-94%), specificity (96-97%), and accuracy (93-96%) for diagnosing root impingement (all comparisons, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: PCD-CT with VNCa imaging enables reliable quantification of disc water content and significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for LDH and root impingement. It offers a valuable alternative to MRI, especially in clinical settings where MRI is limited or unavailable.

KEY POINTS: Question Can PCD-CT-based virtual non-calcium (VNCa) imaging serve as a reliable alternative to MRI for diagnosing lumbar disc herniation and assessing disc degeneration? Findings VNCa CT values strongly correlated with MRI T2 values, and VNCa images significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for lumbar disc herniation and nerve root impingement. Clinical relevance PCD-CT with VNCa imaging provides an accurate, rapid, and accessible assessment of lumbar disc herniation and disc degeneration, offering a valuable diagnostic alternative for patients unable to undergo MRI.

PMID:40779166 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11922-5

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11856-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Early filling defects in the left atrial appendage (LAA), observed during the early phase of cardiac computed tomography (CT), are associated with increased risks of stroke and cardiovascular events. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between left atrial volume (LAV), left atrial appendage volume (LAAV), and the LAA orifice area, as well as identify factors associated with early LAA filling defects in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, using optimized cardiac phases in multiphase CT imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 562 patients with AF who underwent cardiac CT before pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Relationships between LAV, LAAV, and LAA orifice area were assessed using Pearson’s rank correlation coefficients. Factors associated with early LAA filling defects were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the threshold value predictive of these defects. The impact of PVI on defect resolution was also assessed.

RESULTS: Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was significantly correlated with LAAV index (ρ = 0.59, p < 0.001) and LAA orifice area index (ρ = 0.66, p < 0.001). Maximum LAVI was independently associated with early LAA filling defects (p < 0.001), with a threshold of 78.5 cm³/m² yielding 81.9% sensitivity and 77.6% specificity. Among 49 patients with initial defects, 27 underwent follow-up CT after PVI, and 88.9% showed resolution accompanied by significant LAV reductions.

CONCLUSION: The maximum LAVI is a critical factor associated with LAA early filling defects, with reductions in LAV after PVI leading to defect resolution.

KEY POINTS: Question What factors are associated with early left atrial appendage (LAA) filling defects, and do these defects resolve following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)? Findings A left atrial volume index (LAVI) threshold of 78.5 cm³/m² is associated with early LAA filling defects, which resolve after PVI-induced reductions in LAVI. Clinical relevance Identifying the association between LAVI and early LAA filling defects may improve risk stratification for cardiovascular and thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. PVI-induced reductions in LAVI could contribute to a decrease in the risk of such events.

PMID:40779165 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11856-y

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11838-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Functional pulmonary MRI can assess the pathophysiology of regional ventilation, provided that nominal ventilatory patterns are characterised as a baseline. This study investigates common features and their associated gravity dependence using 3D MR spirometry in freely breathing healthy volunteers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Repeated dynamic lung MR acquisitions were performed at 3 T on 25 healthy volunteers breathing freely in the supine and prone positions. Three-dimensional maps of tidal volumes (TV), peak expiratory flows (SPEF), expiratory flows at 25% of tidal volume (SEF25), and anisotropy deformation index (ADI) were inferred and normalised. Intra- and inter-volunteer reproducibility was evaluated using percentage differences (PD) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), while gravity dependence was tested using a paired Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS: Twenty-five volunteers (mean age, 45 years ± 17 [standard deviation]; 15 males) were included. Respiratory parametric maps are found spatially inhomogeneous throughout each volunteer’s lung, with large coefficients of variation ranging between 30 and 63%. Yet, the main respiratory patterns are shared among volunteers with common features primarily governed by lung gravity dependence for TV, SPEF, and SEF25 (p < 0.05). Spirometry biomarkers are globally repeatable despite intrinsic physiological variabilities (median PD: 5.7-9.2%, ICC: 0.71-0.88), and fairly repeatable locally after normalisations (median PD: 11-19%, ICC: 0.78-0.90).

CONCLUSION: 3D MR spirometry exhibits shared respiratory features between individuals with gravity dependence. Intra-volunteer repeatability and global accuracy were found, demonstrating the reliability of the technique. A new baseline is established for regional lung pathophysiology.

KEY POINTS: Question Nominal ventilatory patterns in free breathing need to be characterised for regional pathophysiology. Findings Functional ventilatory maps showed significant inhomogeneity, but key patterns, primarily governed by gravity, were consistent across subjects. 3D MR spirometry demonstrated reliability despite physiological variability. Clinical relevance 3D MR spirometry is a reliable technique for absolute quantification of the regional ventilation and its dynamic. Nominal spatial patterns of the ventilation should be considered for assessing regional pathophysiology in free breathing.

PMID:40779164 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11838-0

J Sci Food Agric. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70117. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Consumption of gluten-free products is increasing, especially among individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate non-gluten-free (non-GF) and gluten-free (GF) products in terms of nutritional quality and cost in Turkey. Data on nutritional content and cost were collected from labels of 456 packaged GF and non-GF food products available in Turkey. Products were categorized into nine food groups, and the Health Star Rating (HSR) system was used to assess nutritional quality.

RESULTS: Gluten-free breads, pastas, flours, biscuits, cookies and snacks had significantly lower protein content (P < 0.05). Although the HSR star count of non-GF foods was higher in the breads and flours group, the HSR star count of GF foods was higher in the biscuits and cookies, oats and candies group (P < 0.05). Statistically significant results were obtained in all food groups except oats and the unit cost of non-GF foods was lower than GF foods (P < 0.05). Although an increase in number of HSR stars was observed with decrease in energy, carbohydrate, total sugar, fat, saturated fat, sodium and cost, an increase in number of HSR stars was observed with an increase in protein and fiber (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The nutritional value of GF products, particularly commercially available flours, is not superior to that of non-GF products, whereas GF foods are generally more than twice as expensive. Although enhancing variety, nutritional quality and affordability of GF products could improve quality of life for individuals requiring a GF diet, these products are unlikely to offer significant health benefits for those without confirmed gluten-related diseases. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID:40778429 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70117

ACS Mater Lett. 2025 Jun 30;7(8):2695-2701. doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.5c00263. eCollection 2025 Aug 4.

ABSTRACT

Heat transport in glasses over a wide temperature range is critical for applications in gate dielectrics and thermal insulators but remains poorly understood due to the challenges in modeling vibrational anharmonicity and configurational dynamics across the glass transition. Recent predictions show an unusual decrease in thermal conductivity (κ) with temperature in amorphous hafnia (a-HfO₂), contrasting with the typical trend in glasses. Using molecular dynamics with a machine-learning-based neuroevolution potential, we compute κ of a-HfO₂ from 50 K to 2000 K. At low temperatures, the Wigner transport equation captures both anharmonicity and quantum statistics. Above 1200 K, atomic diffusion invalidates the quasiparticle picture, and we resort to the Green-Kubo method to capture convective transport. We further extend the Wigner transport equation to supercooled a-HfO₂, revealing the crucial role of low-frequency modes in facilitating heat transport. The computed κ, based on both Green-Kubo and Wigner transport theories, increases continuously with temperature up to 2000 K.

PMID:40778389 | PMC:PMC12326390 | DOI:10.1021/acsmaterialslett.5c00263

ACS Mater Lett. 2025 Jul 12;7(8):2902-2909. doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.5c00878. eCollection 2025 Aug 4.

ABSTRACT

The blending of glassy copolymer-brush modified colloids with a viscoelastic linear copolymer featuring intrinsic self-healing enabled disordered hyperuniform hybrid materials that combined mechanical robustness with structural color, processability, environmental stability, and the ability to recover structure and properties after incurring physical damage via ‘integrated self-healing’. Symmetric linear n-butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate (BA/MMA) were co-assembled with asymmetric glassy BA/MMA statistical copolymer brush (silica) particles. ‘Confinement-driven segregation’ resulted in a microphase-separated morphology in which the linear copolymer resided within the interstitial regions of a rigid (∼1 GPa) copolymer brush particle template with disordered hyperuniform microstructure. Diffusion of the self-healing copolymer additive into damage regions drove the recovery after damage, along with the restoration of structural color due to the materials hyperuniform microstructure. The synergistic action of intrinsic and extrinsic healing mechanisms could provide a versatile platform for the bottom-up fabrication of multifunctional hybrid materials with increased damage resistance and functional longevity.

PMID:40778388 | PMC:PMC12326392 | DOI:10.1021/acsmaterialslett.5c00878

Data Brief. 2025 Jul 23;62:111910. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2025.111910. eCollection 2025 Oct.

ABSTRACT

This dataset provides a high-resolution, spatially explicit baseline of Ecuadorian cropping systems and associated pedoclimatic conditions to support long-term modeling of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and biomass resource planning. The dataset is built from national sources, including Ecuadorian agricultural statistics and crop production surveys spanning 2002 – 2019. Ten dominant crops, representing over 90 % of the country’s cultivated area, are characterized across 23,021 Agricultural Pedoclimatic Units (APCUs), each defined by unique combinations of soil attributes, climate variables, and crop types. For each APCU, the dataset includes theoretical harvestable crop residue potentials, above- and belowground carbon inputs, and SOC-relevant parameters such as root depth distribution and biomass composition. Residue-to-product ratios (RPR), root-to-shoot biomass ratios (R:S), and biomass-to-carbon conversion coefficients were compiled through a comprehensive literature review and transparently documented. Additionally, the dataset includes monthly projections of average temperature, cumulative precipitation, and estimated evapotranspiration from 2020 to 2070 under the RCP4.5 climate scenario. Temperature and precipitation data were obtained from downscaled daily projections based on an ensemble of global climate models, and evapotranspiration was subsequently calculated using the Thornthwaite method. All variables were spatially assigned to each APCU. This open-access dataset is designed for reuse in soil carbon modeling frameworks, supports the design of biomass mobilization strategies, and informs climate-smart land-use strategies in tropical agricultural systems.

PMID:40778376 | PMC:PMC12329475 | DOI:10.1016/j.dib.2025.111910

Forensic Sci Int Synerg. 2025 Jul 29;11:100633. doi: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100633. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Forensic genetic frequency databases (FGFD) are used in estimating the probability of a DNA match in forensic investigations. They provide reference population data that can be used for statistical estimation for the rarity of a genotype, haplotype or a DNA profile in a population hence giving probative value for forensic evidence. Currently, three FGFD databases are recommended by the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) for forensic use; the Y-Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), the EDNAP Mitochondrial DNA Population Database (EMPOP), and the STRs for Identity ENFSI Reference Database (STRidER). There is need to generate updated and comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population in compliance with ethical standards. This study sought to develop a forensic biobank to facilitate generation of comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population. A total of 893 samples were collected from study volunteers in compliance with prescribed ethical standards. The data set comprises 60.8 % Bantu, 24.9 % Nilotic, and 14.3 % Cushitic samples closely mirroring current population structure in Kenya. The samples are currently stored in duplicate as FTA cards and extracted DNA. 132 quality mitogenome reference data has been generated for the coastal region in Kenya. With the broad consent obtained, the resource will be used to generate additional mitogenome reference data for other geographical regions, Y-chromosome haplotype and autosomal STRs for inclusion in recommended forensic databases as per revised guidelines. With the emergence of new technologies in forensic genetics, we anticipate the resource will be valuable in forensic genetics validation studies in future.

PMID:40778372 | PMC:PMC12329276 | DOI:10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100633

Ophthalmol Sci. 2025 May 17;5(6):100828. doi: 10.1016/j.xops.2025.100828. eCollection 2025 Nov-Dec.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To achieve clear in vivo imaging and systematic quantification of choriocapillaris (CC), enabling the exploration of age-related and disease-related changes of CC within a large sample size.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1050 eyes from 727 individuals, comprising 633 healthy eyes, 277 eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and 140 eyes with high myopia.

METHODS: The 3-dimensional (3D) topographic maps of CC were obtained by performing image enhancement, depth reconstruction, and 3D rendering on a single OCT angiography enface image. Based on this map, we targeted key quantitative parameters to analyze vessel thickness, vascular complexity, vascular distribution uniformity, and blood perfusion of CC. We statistically analyzed the correlation between CC metrics and age in healthy population, as well as differences in CC metrics between healthy and diseased populations. To further explore the association between changes in CC and choroidal large vessels, we defined a parameter called “arterial zone (AZ) to venous zone (VZ) ratio” to assess the choroidal large-vessel perfusion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 3D topographic map of CC, 8 parameters of CC, and AZ/VZ.

RESULTS: The 3D topographic map effectively displayed the morphology of CC while maintaining high image accuracy. Statistical analysis revealed that with aging, the vessel thickness of CC in healthy eyes became thicker, and there was a decrease in vascular complexity, distribution uniformity, and perfusion. Additionally, AZ/VZ exhibited a trend of initial decline followed by an increase. In eyes with increasing severity of AMD, the vessel thickness of CC showed bidirectional changes followed by significant thickening. Complexity and distribution uniformity initially increased, followed by a marked decrease, whereas blood perfusion decreased initially before increasing. However, no significant intergroup differences in AZ/VZ were observed. In highly myopic eyes, compared to healthy eyes, the CC exhibited vessel thickening, reduced complexity and distribution uniformity, decreased perfusion, and a significant reduction in AZ/VZ.

CONCLUSIONS: This study explores age-related and disease-related CC changes via clear in vivo imaging and quantification. It aids understanding of CC states and may contribute to early disease diagnosis and prognosis.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

PMID:40778359 | PMC:PMC12329102 | DOI:10.1016/j.xops.2025.100828