Tag: nevin manimala

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2022 Apr 27. doi: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000001299. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is considered to be the criterion standard for the clinical diagnosis of functional myocardial ischemia. In this study, we explored the effect of the coronary arterial diameter derived from coronary computed tomography angiography on FFR.

METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information of 131 patients with moderate coronary artery stenosis. To compare the mean diameter of stenotic vessels, patients were divided into ischemic and nonischemic groups. According to the clinical statistics of the diameter of the ischemic group and the nonischemic group, we established 8 ideal models of coronary artery diameter of 4 mm (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% stenosis) and diameter of 3 mm (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% stenosis). Two sets of numerical simulation experiments were carried out: experiment 1 evaluated the variation rate of CT-based computation of non-invasive fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) with vessel diameters of 4 mm and 3 mm under different stenosis rates, and experiment 2 explored the variation of FFRCT with vessel diameters of 4 mm and 3 mm under different cardiac outputs. We simulated changes in the flow of narrow blood vessels by changes in cardiac output.

RESULTS: According to clinical statistics, the mean ± SD diameter of stenotic vessels in the ischemic and nonischemic groups was 3.67 ± 0.77 mm and 3.31 ± 0.64 mm (P < 0.05 for difference), respectively. In experiment 1, the FFRCT of coronary with a diameter of 4 mm was 0.86, 0.80, 0.66, and 0.35, and that with a diameter of 3 mm was 0.90, 0.84, 0.71, and 0.50, respectively. In experiment 2, the FFRCT of the coronary vessel diameter of 4 mm was 0.84, 0.80, 0.76, and 0.72, respectively. The FFRCT coronary vessels with a diameter of 3 mm were 0.87, 0.84, 0.80, and 0.76, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: As the stenosis increases, compared with narrow blood vessel of small diameter, the narrow blood vessel with larger diameter is accompanied by faster flow rate changes and is more prone to ischemia.

PMID:35483102 | DOI:10.1097/RCT.0000000000001299

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2022 Apr 27. doi: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000001316. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate image quality in vascular and oncologic dual-energy computed tomography (CT) imaging studies performed with a deep learning (DL)-based image reconstruction algorithm in patients with body mass index of ≥30.

METHODS: Vascular and multiphase oncologic staging dual-energy CT examinations were evaluated. Two image reconstruction algorithms were applied to the dual-energy CT data sets: standard of care Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction (ASiR-V) and TrueFidelity DL image reconstruction at 2 levels (medium and high). Subjective quality criteria were independently evaluated by 4 abdominal radiologists, and interreader agreement was assessed. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio were compared between image reconstruction methods.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included in this study, and the mean patient body mass index was 39.5 (SD, 7.36). TrueFidelity-High (DL-High) and TrueFidelity-Medium (DL-Med) image reconstructions showed statistically significant higher Likert scores compared with ASiR-V across all subjective image quality criteria (P < 0.001 for DL-High vs ASiR-V; P < 0.05 for DL-Med vs ASiR-V), and SNRs for aorta and liver were significantly higher for DL-High versus ASiR-V (P < 0.001). Contrast-to-noise ratio for aorta and SNR for aorta and liver were significantly higher for DL-Med versus ASiR-V (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: TrueFidelity DL image reconstruction provides improved image quality compared with ASiR-V in dual-energy CTs obtained in obese patients.

PMID:35483100 | DOI:10.1097/RCT.0000000000001316

J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 Apr 27. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001550. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unrecognized neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) in age-related eye disease research studies have the potential to confound vision-specific quality of life and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) outcome measures. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate relationships between NDD screening tools and visual outcome measures in a small cohort of controls from the Colorado Age-Related Macular Degeneration Registry (CO-AMD), to consider the utility of future studies.

METHODS: Twenty-nine controls from the CO-AMD were screened using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a Colorado Parkinsonian Checklist, and the Lewy Body Composite Risk Score. Univariate and multivariable linear regression modeling was used to assess associations between screening tools and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) and macular OCT outcome measures, and t tests were used to evaluate outcome measure differences between those with normal vs abnormal MoCA scores.

RESULTS: One patient withdrew. The average age was 72.8 years, and 68% were female patients. Ten participants (36%) had abnormal MoCA scores, and their VFQ-25 scores were only 1 point less and not statistically different than those with normal MoCA scores. Macular OCT volumes and thicknesses for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and retinal ganglion cell layer were consistently and moderately lower for those with abnormal MoCA scores, and a positive association between MoCA and macular RNFL volume was observed, although differences and regression were not significant. Parkinson screening tests were abnormal for only 4 participants and were not associated with OCT or VFQ-25 measures by regression modeling.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the degree and direction of observed differences, further investigation is warranted regarding the relationship between cognitive screening tools and macular OCT measures in age-related eye disease research, but future investigations regarding the relationship between NDD screening tools and VFQ-25 seem unwarranted.

PMID:35483065 | DOI:10.1097/WNO.0000000000001550

Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2022 Apr 27. doi: 10.1089/met.2022.0009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: The visceral adipose tissue excess in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the mechanisms that plays role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI), an indicator of visceral adiposity, and Syntax score (SxS), a predictor of the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and type 2 DM. Methods: A total of 253 patients with SAP and type 2 DM were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into three risk groups (low risk <22, 32 ≥ intermediate risk ≥22, high risk ≥33) according to the SxS based on invasive coronary angiography. Several adiposity indexes such as body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI), and lipid accumulation product index (LAPI) were calculated using relevant formulas. In addition, VAI scores for each patient were calculated. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups for WHtR, BAI, and LAPI. WHR was found significantly lower in the low SxS group (P = 0.0038), and VAI was found significantly higher (P = 0.021) in the high SxS group. Besides, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, the VAI (odds ratio: 2.455; 95% confidence interval: 1.244-4.845; P = 0.010) was an independent predictor of high SxS. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, VAI with an optimal cutoff value of 2.048 predicted the severe coronary lesion with a sensitivity of 60.8% and a specificity of 61.5%. Conclusion: This study showed that VAI was an independent predictor in estimating CAD severity in patients with SAP and type 2 DM.

PMID:35483052 | DOI:10.1089/met.2022.0009

Langmuir. 2022 Apr 28. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00338. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this feature article, we provide an overview of our research on statistical copolymers as a coating material for metal oxide nanoparticles and surfaces. These copolymers contain functional groups enabling noncovalent binding to oxide surfaces and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymers for colloidal stability and stealthiness. The functional groups are organic derivatives of phosphorous acid compounds R-H₂PO₃, also known as phosphonic acids that have been screened for their strong affinity to metals and for their multidentate binding ability. Herein we develop a polymer-based coating platform that shares features with the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and layer-by-layer (L-b-L) deposition techniques. The milestones of this endeavor are the synthesis of PEG-based copolymers containing multiple phosphonic acid groups, the implementation of simple protocols combining versatility with high particle production yields, and the experimental evidence of the colloidal stability of the coated particles. As a demonstration, coating studies are conducted on cerium (CeO₂), iron (γ-Fe₂O₃), aluminum (Al₂O₃), and titanium (TiO₂) oxides of different sizes and morphologies. We finally discuss applications in the domain of nanomaterials and nanomedicine. We evaluate the beneficial effects of coatings on redispersible nanopowders, contrast agents for in vitro/vivo assays, and stimuli-responsive particles.

PMID:35483044 | DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00338

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.2196/34615. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of COVID-19 related misinformation has spread and been amplified online. The spread of misinformation can influence COVID-19 beliefs and protective actions including vaccine hesitancy. Belief in vaccine misinformation is associated with lower vaccination rates and higher vaccine resistance. Attitudinal inoculation is a preventative approach to combating misinformation and disinformation which leverages the power of narrative, rhetoric, values, and emotion.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to test inoculation messages in the form of short video messages to promote resistance against persuasion by COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

METHODS: We designed a series of 30-second inoculation videos and conducted a quasi-experimental study to test the use of attitudinal inoculation in a population of individuals who were unvaccinated (N = 1991). The three intervention videos were distinguished by their script design- with Intervention Video 1 focusing on narrative/rhetorical (“Narrative”) presentation of information, Intervention Video 2 focusing on delivering a fact-based information (“Fact”), and Intervention Video 3 using a hybrid design (“Hybrid”). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to compare the main effect of intervention group on the three outcome variables: ability to recognize misinformation tactics (“Recognize”, willingness to share misinformation (“Share”), and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine (“Willingness”).

RESULTS: There were significant effects across all three outcome variables comparing inoculation intervention groups to controls. For the Recognize outcome, the ability to recognize rhetorical strategies, there was a significant intervention group effect (P<.001). For the Share outcome, support for sharing the mis-disinformation, the intervention group main effect was statistically significant ( P=.017). For the Willingness outcome, there was a significant intervention group effect; intervention groups were more willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine compared to controls ( P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Across all intervention groups, inoculated individuals showed greater resistance to misinformation than their non-inoculated counterparts. Relative to those who were not inoculated, inoculated participants showed significantly greater ability to recognize and identify rhetorical strategies used in misinformation, were less likely to share false information, and had greater willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Attitudinal inoculation delivered through short video messages should be tested in public health messaging campaigns to counter mis-disinformation.

PMID:35483050 | DOI:10.2196/34615

Am J Public Health. 2022 Apr 28:e1-e10. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.306779. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We analyzed COVID-19 influences on the design, implementation, and validity of assessing the quality of primary health care using unannounced standardized patients (USPs) in China. Because of the pandemic, we crowdsourced our funding, removed tuberculosis from the USP case roster, adjusted common cold and asthma cases, used hybrid online-offline training for USPs, shared USPs across provinces, and strengthened ethical considerations. With those changes, we were able to conduct fieldwork despite frequent COVID-19 interruptions. Furthermore, the USP assessment tool maintained high validity in the quality checklist (criteria), USP role fidelity, checklist completion, and physician detection of USPs. Our experiences suggest that the pandemic created not only barriers but also opportunities to innovate ways to build a resilient data collection system. To build data system reliance, we recommend harnessing the power of technology for a hybrid model of remote and in-person work, learning from the sharing economy to pool strengths and optimize resources, and dedicating individual and group leadership to problem-solving and results. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print April 28, 2022:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306779).

PMID:35483014 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2022.306779

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 May 3;119(18):e2123239119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2123239119. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

ABSTRACT

SignificanceInfants learn mappings between heard names and seen things before their first birthday and before they produce spoken language. Two challenges to explaining this early learning are the immaturity of infant memory systems and the infrequency of any individual object name in the heard language input. We quantified the frequency of visual referents, heard names, and the cooccurrences of referents and names in infant everyday experiences. We discovered statistical patterns at two timescales that align with a cortical mechanism of associative memory formation that supports the rapid formation of durable associative memories from very few experienced cooccurrences.

PMID:35482916 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2123239119

Science. 2022 Apr 29;376(6592):517-521. doi: 10.1126/science.abm8962. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

ABSTRACT

Improving composite battery electrodes requires a delicate control of active materials and electrode formulation. The electrochemically active particles fulfill their role as energy exchange reservoirs through interacting with the surrounding conductive network. We formulate a network evolution model to interpret the regulation and equilibration between electrochemical activity and mechanical damage of these particles. Through statistical analysis of thousands of particles using x-ray phase contrast holotomography in a LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂-based cathode, we found that the local network heterogeneity results in asynchronous activities in the early cycles, and subsequently the particle assemblies move toward a synchronous behavior. Our study pinpoints the chemomechanical behavior of individual particles and enables better designs of the conductive network to optimize the utility of all the particles during operation.

PMID:35482882 | DOI:10.1126/science.abm8962

J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 Apr 27. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001562. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) without manifesting visual acuity impairment or visual field defect (VFD), more sensitive and objective assessment methods will allow earlier detection before irreversible damage to the visual system. This study aimed to evaluate retinal vessel densities (VDs) alterations in these patients using optical coherence tomography angiography and to determine its diagnostic abilities.

METHODS: Between patients with NFPA without VFDs and age-matched, sex-matched healthy control individuals, comparisons of visual field metrics, retinal structural thickness, and microcirculation were conducted after adjusting for axial length (AL) and signal index of scans. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were further depicted to assess the diagnostic performance of significant parameters. To explore the impact of symptom duration, tumor size, and axial length on the significant parameters, multivariate regression analysis was conducted.

RESULTS: This cross-sectional study reviewed 107 patients with NFPA. Twenty-seven eyes of patients with NFPA without VFDs and 27 eyes of healthy controls were enrolled. Compared with healthy controls, patients with NFPA without VFDs had similar foveal avascular zone areas and perimeters, macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses, and macular VDs. Only the VD in the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) segment of the inferior temporal (IT) sector was much lower in the patient group. The 2 largest area under the ROC curves were the focal loss volume (FLV) of the mGCC and the VD in the RPC of the IT sector, both of which were significantly related to symptom duration and tumor size.

CONCLUSIONS: At the early stage of NFPA before VFD and retinal thickness thinning, fundus microcirculation impairments may occur initially in the microvascular density of the RPC segment of the IT sector. The FLV and the VD of RPC at the IT sector may provide a basis for the early diagnosis of NFPA without VFD in clinical practice.

PMID:35482899 | DOI:10.1097/WNO.0000000000001562