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In sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease (PH-LHD). We used multivariate logistic and cox-hazard proportional regression models to examine factors associated with increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the effect of real-world HIV status scenarios on 6-month survival rate in the Pan African Pulmonary Hypertension Cohort (PAPUCO) study, a prospective cohort from four African countries. Exposure to biomass fuel smoke (aOR, 95%CI 3.07, 1.02–9.28), moderate to severe NYHA/FC III/IV (aOR, 95%CI 4.18, 1.01–17.38), and unknown HIV status (aOR, 95%CI 2.73, 0.96–7.73) predicted moderate to severe RVSP at the time of presentation. Six months later, HIV infection, moderate-to-severe NYHA/FC, and alcohol consumption were associated with decreased survival probabilities. Upon adjusting for HIV infection, it was observed that an incremental rise in RVSP (1 mmHg) and inter-ventricular septal thickness (1 mm) resulted in an 8% (aHR, 95%CI 1.08, 1.02–1.13) and 20% (aHR, 95%CI 1.2, 1.00–1.43) increase in the probability of mortality due to PH-LHD. In contrast, the risk of death from PH-LHD was reduced by 23% for each additional unit of BMI. (aHR, 95%CI 0.77, 0.59–1.00). In conclusion, the present study offers insights into the determinants that are notably linked to unfavorable survival outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease. Certain factors identified in this study are readily evaluable and amenable to modification, even in settings with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has ten genotypes (A–J) and over 40 sub-genotypes based on the divergence of ≥ 8% and 4 to < 8% in the complete genome respectively. These genotypes and sub-genotypes influence the disease prognosis, response to therapy and route of viral transmission. Besides, infection with mixed genotypes and recombinant genotypes has also been reported. This study aimed at mapping the de novo genotypes and correlate them with the immigration trends in order to inform future research on the underlying reasons for the relative distribution of HBV genotypes from a large sample size pooled from many primary studies. Data was extracted from 59 full research articles obtained from Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, Willy library, African Journal Online (AJOL) and Google Scholar. Studies that investigated the genotypes, sub-genotypes, mixed genotypes and recombinant were included. The Z-test and regression were used for the analysis. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42022300220. Overall, genotype E had the highest pooled prevalence significantly higher than all the other genotypes (P < 0.001). By region, genotype A posted the highest pooled prevalence in eastern and southern Africa, E in west Africa and D in north Africa (P < 0.0001). Regarding the emerging genotypes B and C on the African continent, genotype B was significantly higher in south Africa than C (P < 0.001). In contrast, genotype C was significantly higher in east Africa than west Africa (P < 0.0001). The A1 and D/E were the most diverse sub-genotypes and genotype mixtures respectively. Finally, we observed a general progressive decrease in the prevalence of predominant genotypes but a progressive increase in the less dominant by region. Historical and recent continental and intercontinental migrations can provide a plausible explanation for the HBV genotype distribution pattern on the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a highly infectious virus and is endemic in Uganda. It is one of the major etiological agents for liver diseases including liver cancer. In this work, we evaluated the prevalence of the HBV serological markers and the associated socio-demographic factors among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seronegative persons screened during routine immunization against the virus in eastern Uganda. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire, while that on the serological markers were obtained from serum samples and evaluated by using the 5-panel HBV One Step Hepatitis B Virus Combo Test Device (FastepR, HBV-P43M). The following markers were evaluated by the panel: HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, and HBeAb. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26), and multinomial logistic regression was used to elicit the adjusted odds ratio. All the analysis were performed at a 95% confidence limit, and a P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The 424 participants included in this study were mainly female (62.3%), married (55.4%) and aged 30 years and above (54.2%). The seropositivity of the HBsAb, HBeAb, HBcAb marker prevalence rates was 48(11.3%), 73(17.2%) and 45(10.6%) respectively. The majority of the participants (327, 77.1%) did not present with any marker. Married paricipants were significantly associated with reduced HBsAb seropositvity rate, whereas young people aged 18–29 years were associated the with increased odds of HBsAb seropositivity (p < 0.05). Male participants were significantly associated with the HBeAb and HBcAb seropositivity (p < 0.05). Similarly, contact with an HBV infected person was significantly associated with HBeAb and HBcAb seropositivity (p < 0.05). Further still, blood transfusion was significantly associated with the increased risk of HBcAb seropositivity (P < 0.05). This study has revealed a prevalence of HBV serological markers among the HBsAg seronegative persons in this community and an increased risk of transmission of the virus in the community. Our findings have key consequences pertaining the interventions that are pertinent in the control and prevention of the spread of the virus among apparently health persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) on high-spatial-resolution three-dimensional T2-weighted fast asymmetric spin-echo (HR-3D T2-FASE) imaging in the preoperative evaluation of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. Methods: This study included 13 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative HR-3D T2-FASE imaging using a 3 T MRI scanner. The reconstruction voxel size of HR-3D T2-FASE imaging was 0.23 × 0.23 × 0.5 mm. The contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of the structures were compared between HR-3D T2-FASE images with and without DLR. The observers' preferences based on four categories on the tumor side on HR-3D T2-FASE images were evaluated. The facial nerve in relation to the tumor on HR-3D T2-FASE images was assessed with reference to intraoperative findings. Results: The mean CNR between the tumor and trigeminal nerve and between the cerebrospinal fluid and trigeminal nerve was significantly higher for DLR images than non-DLR-based images (14.3 ± 8.9 vs. 12.0 ± 7.6, and 66.4 ± 12.0 vs. 53.9 ± 8.5, P < 0.001, respectively). The observer's preference for the depiction and delineation of the tumor, cranial nerves, vessels, and location relation on DLR HR-3D T2FASE images was superior to that on non-DLR HR-3D T2FASE images in 7 (54%), 6 (46%), 6 (46%), and 6 (46%) of 13 cases, respectively. The facial nerves around the tumor on HR-3D T2-FASE images were visualized accurately in five (38%) cases with DLR and in four (31%) without DLR. Conclusion: DLR HR-3D T2-FASE imaging is useful for the preoperative assessment of CPA tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Leptomeningeal enhancement (LME) suggests leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) of tumor cells, which is a complication of end-stage glioblastoma, and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) occasionally indicates the disappearance of peri-brainstem LME after surgical resection of glioblastoma. Since preoperative LMD may affect treatment indications, we aimed to analyze the clinical significance of preoperative LME of the brainstem in glioblastoma. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical and radiological data from consecutive patients with glioblastoma and preoperative LME of the brainstem, who were treated at our hospital between 2017 and 2020. Results: Among 112 patients with glioblastoma, nine (8%) showed preoperative LME of the brainstem. In comparison with tumors without LME, tumor size was significantly associated with the preoperative LME of the brainstem (p = 0.016). In addition, there was a trend toward significance for a relationship between deep tumor location and preoperative LME of the brainstem (p = 0.058). Notably, among six patients who underwent surgical resection for glioblastoma with LME of the brainstem, four showed significant radiological disappearance of the LME on postoperative MRI. This suggests that the LME did not result from LMD in these cases. Moreover, these four patients lived longer than would be expected from the presence of LMD. However, this LME disappearance was not observed after biopsy or chemoradiotherapy. Conclusions: These findings suggest that preoperative LME does not necessarily indicate the presence of untreatable LMD; moreover, LME may disappear after surgical tumor resection. Thus, transient preoperative LME could be attributed to other mechanisms, including impaired venous flow due to intratumoral arteriovenous shunts, which can be resolved by reducing the tumor burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of super-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (SR-DLR), which uses k-space properties, on image quality of intracranial time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3 T. Methods: This retrospective study involved 35 patients who underwent intracranial TOF-MRA using a 3-T MRI system with SR-DLR based on k-space properties in October and November 2022. We reconstructed MRA with SR-DLR (matrix = 1008 × 1008) and MRA without SR-DLR (matrix = 336 × 336). We measured the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the basilar artery (BA) and the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and the sharpness of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) using the slope of the signal intensity profile curve at the half-peak points. Two radiologists evaluated image noise, artifacts, contrast, sharpness, and overall image quality of the two image types using a 4-point scale. We compared quantitative and qualitative scores between images with and without SR-DLR using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The SNRs, contrasts, and CNRs were all significantly higher in images with SR-DLR than those without SR-DLR (p < 0.001). The slope was significantly greater in images with SR-DLR than those without SR-DLR (p < 0.001). The qualitative scores in MRAs with SR-DLR were all significantly higher than MRAs without SR-DLR (p < 0.001). Conclusion: SR-DLR with k-space properties can offer the benefits of increased spatial resolution without the associated drawbacks of longer scan times and reduced SNR and CNR in intracranial MRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood HBV immunization remains globally fundamental to the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, monitoring proportions of HBV vaccine seroprotection and their determinants among African Pediatric recipients is crucial. This study sought to verify extent of immune protection accorded by the HBV vaccine in African children of up to 17 years of age by pooling the prevalence of seroprotection reported by primary studies conducted in the Northern, Western, and Southern African regions. We included 19 eligible articles out of the 197 initially downloaded, published from 1999 to 2021 from African Journals Online (AJOL), EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed. The study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, under the registration number CRD42022361277. Significantly higher (p < 0.0001) proportion of HBV vaccine seroprotection (69.07%) was found among children under 15 years of age than children 15–17 years (32.368%), 95% CI [34.2454–39.0847%]. Whereas successful integration of the HBV vaccine on the extended programs on immunizations (EPI) has been a major achievement in the reduction of HBV infection in Africa, markedly reduced HBV vaccine seroprotection is persistently demonstrated among adolescent children 15–17 years of age. Future studies are required to clarify the need for booster dose vaccination in most at risk populations and age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical and chemical structure of activated carbon (AC) varies with the carbonization temperature, activation process and time. The texture and toughness of the starting raw material also determine the morphology of AC produced. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area (SBET) is small for AC produced at low temperatures but increases from 500 to 700 °C, and generally drops in activated carbons synthesized > 700 °C. Mild chemical activators and low activator concentrations tend to generate AC with high SBET compared to strong and concentrated oxidizing chemicals, acids and bases. Activated carbon from soft starting materials such as cereals and mushrooms have larger SBET approximately twice that of tough materials such as stem berks, shells and bones. The residual functional groups observed in AC vary widely with the starting material and tend to reduce under extreme carbonization temperatures and the use of highly concentrated chemical activators. Further, the adsorption capacity of AC shows dependency on the size of the adsorbate where large organic molecules such as methylene blue are highly adsorbed compared to relatively small adsorbates such as phenol and metal ions. Adsorption also varies with adsorbate concentration, temperature and other matrix parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of super-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (SR-DLR), which utilizes k-space data, on the quality of images and the quantitation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for diffusion-weighted images (DWI) in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 34 patients who had undergone DWI using a 3 T MRI system with SR-DLR reconstruction based on k-space data in August 2022. DWI was reconstructed with SR-DLR (Matrix = 684 × 684) and without SR-DLR (Matrix = 228 × 228). Measurements were made of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM), and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the septum pellucidum. Two radiologists assessed image noise, contrast, artifacts, blur, and the overall quality of three image types using a four-point scale. Quantitative and qualitative scores between images with and without SR-DLR were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Images with SR-DLR showed significantly higher SNRs and CNRs than those without SR-DLR (p < 0.001). No statistically significant variances were found in the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in WM and GM between images with and without SR-DLR (ADC in WM, p = 0.945; ADC in GM, p = 0.235). Moreover, the FWHM without SR-DLR was notably lower compared to that with SR-DLR (p < 0.001). Conclusion: SR-DLR has the potential to augment the quality of DWI in DL MRI scans without significantly impacting ADC quantitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: As a novel follow-up method for intracranial aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE), we developed four-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with minimized acoustic noise utilizing ultrashort-echo time (4D mUTE-MRA). We aimed to assess whether 4D mUTE-MRA is useful for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms treated with SACE. Methods: This study included 31 consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm treated with SACE who underwent 4D mUTE-MRA at 3 T and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). For 4D mUTE-MRA, five dynamic MRA images with a spatial resolution of 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm3 were obtained every 200 ms. Two readers independently reviewed the 4D mUTE-MRA images to evaluate the aneurysm occlusion status (total occlusion, residual neck, and residual aneurysm) and the flow in the stent using a 4-point scale (from 1 [not visible] to 4 [excellent]). The interobserver and intermodality agreement was assessed using κ statistics. Results: On DSA images, 10 aneurysms were classified as total occlusion, 14 as residual neck, and 7 as residual aneurysm. In terms of aneurysm occlusion status, the intermodality and interobserver agreement was excellent (κ = 0.92 and κ = 0.96, respectively). For the flow in the stents on 4D mUTE-MRA, the mean score was significantly higher for single stents than multiple stents (p <.001) and for open-cell type stents than closed-cell type (p <.01). Conclusions: 4D mUTE-MRA is a useful tool with a high spatial and temporal resolution for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms treated with SACE. Key Points: • In the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms treated with SACE on 4D mUTE-MRA and DSA, the intermodality and interobserver agreement in aneurysm occlusion status was excellent. • 4D mUTE-MRA shows good to excellent visualization of flow in the stents, especially for cases treated with a single or open-cell stent. • 4D mUTE-MRA can provide hemodynamic information related to embolized aneurysms and the distal arteries to stented parent arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Perinatal depression is common among women living with HIV, but depression care is limited in low-resource settings. We examined (1) characteristics of women receiving Problem Solving Therapy (PST) versus antidepressant therapy (ADT), (2) treatment response by modality, and (3) correlates of treatment response. Methods: This analysis used data from 191 Ugandan women in the intervention arm of a cluster randomized controlled trial of task-shifted, stepped-care depression treatment for pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWH). Treatment response was defined as scoring < 5 on the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine characteristics of women by treatment group and correlates of treatment response. Results: Of 134 participants with depression, 129 (96%) were treated: 84 (65%) received PST and 45 (35%) received ADT. Severe depression at treatment initiation was more common in those receiving ADT (28.9% versus 4.8%, Fischer's Exact Test < 0.001). Treatment response was higher for PST (70/84; 83.3%) than ADT (30/45; 66.7%; p =.03). ADT side effects were rare and minor; no infants had serious congenital defects. Of 22 participants (19%) who did not respond to treatment, only five received intensified management. Social support and interpersonal violence were associated with treatment response (adjusted odds ratio, [aOR] = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.08–8.66 and aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44–0.93). Discussion: Both depression treatment modalities yielded high response rates in Ugandan PWLWH; ADT was well-tolerated. Our results highlight a need to build capacity to implement the stepped-care protocol for non-responders and screen for social support and interpersonal violence. Significance: What is Already Known on this Subject?Prior research has demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering collaborative care for depression in low-resource settings including Uganda. What this Study adds?Both Problem-Solving Therapy and antidepressant therapy yielded high treatment response rates among pregnant women living with HIV in Uganda who met criteria for depression, and antidepressant therapy was well tolerated. This study highlights a need to build capacity to implement the task-shifted stepped-care protocol for women whose depression does not respond to initial treatment, and to screen for social support and interpersonal violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that 12p gain may predict the presence of malignant components and poor prognosis for CNS germ cell tumor (GCT). Recently, 3p25.3 gain was identified as an independent predictor of poor prognosis for testicular GCT. Eighty-one CNS GCTs were analyzed. Copy number was calculated using methylation arrays. Five cases (6.2%) showed 3p25.3 gain, but only among the 40 non-germinomatous GCTs (NGGCTs) (5/40, 12.5%; p = 0.03). Among NGGCTs, those with a yolk sac tumor component showed a significantly higher frequency of 3p25.3 gain (18.2%) than those without (1.5%; p = 0.048). NGGCTs with gain showed significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than those without (p = 0.047). The 3p25.3 gain and 12p gain were independent from each other. The combination of 3p25.3 gain and/or 12p gain was more frequent among NGGCTs with malignant components (69%) than among those without (29%; p = 0.02). Germinomas containing a higher number of copy number alterations showed shorter PFS than those with fewer (p = 0.03). Taken together, a finding of 3p25.3 gain may be a copy number alteration specific to NGGCTs and in combination with 12p gain could serve as a marker of negative prognosis or treatment resistance. Germinoma with frequent chromosomal instability may constitute an unfavorable subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain perivascular macrophages (PVMs) are potential treatment targets for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and previous studies revealed that their depletion by clodronate (CLD) improved outcomes after experimental SAH. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated whether reducing PVMs by CLD pretreatment improves SAH prognosis by inhibiting posthemorrhagic impairment of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods: In total, 80 male Sprague–Dawley rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of the vehicle (liposomes) or CLD. Subsequently, the rats were categorized into the prechiasmatic saline injection (sham) and blood injection (SAH) groups after 72 h. We assessed its effects on weak and severe SAH, which were induced by 200- and 300-µL arterial blood injections, respectively. In addition, neurological function at 72 h and CBF changes from before the intervention to 5 min after were assessed in rats after sham/SAH induction as the primary and secondary end points, respectively. Results: CLD significantly reduced PVMs before SAH induction. Although pretreatment with CLD in the weak SAH group provided no additive effects on the primary end point, rats in the severe SAH group showed significant improvement in the rotarod test. In the severe SAH group, CLD inhibited acute reduction of CBF and tended to decrease hypoxia-inducible factor 1α expression. Furthermore, CLD reduced the number of PVMs in rats subjected to sham and SAH surgery, although no effects were observed in oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: Our study proposes that pretreatment with CLD-targeting PVMs can improve the prognosis of severe SAH through a candidate mechanism of inhibition of posthemorrhagic CBF reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the image quality of deep learning–based reconstruction (DLR), model-based (MBIR), and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) algorithms for lower-dose (LD) unenhanced head CT and compare it with those of standard-dose (STD) HIR images. Methods: This retrospective study included 114 patients who underwent unenhanced head CT using the STD (n = 57) or LD (n = 57) protocol on a 320-row CT. STD images were reconstructed with HIR; LD images were reconstructed with HIR (LD-HIR), MBIR (LD-MBIR), and DLR (LD-DLR). The image noise, gray and white matter (GM-WM) contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at the basal ganglia and posterior fossa levels were quantified. The noise magnitude, noise texture, GM-WM contrast, image sharpness, streak artifact, and subjective acceptability were independently scored by three radiologists (1 = worst, 5 = best). The lesion conspicuity of LD-HIR, LD-MBIR, and LD-DLR was ranked through side-by-side assessments (1 = worst, 3 = best). Reconstruction times of three algorithms were measured. Results: The effective dose of LD was 25% lower than that of STD. Lower image noise, higher GM-WM contrast, and higher CNR were observed in LD-DLR and LD-MBIR than those in STD (all, p ≤ 0.035). Compared with STD, the noise texture, image sharpness, and subjective acceptability were inferior for LD-MBIR and superior for LD-DLR (all, p < 0.001). The lesion conspicuity of LD-DLR (2.9 ± 0.2) was higher than that of HIR (1.2 ± 0.3) and MBIR (1.8 ± 0.4) (all, p < 0.001). Reconstruction times of HIR, MBIR, and DLR were 11 ± 1, 319 ± 17, and 24 ± 1 s, respectively. Conclusion: DLR can enhance the image quality of head CT while preserving low radiation dose level and short reconstruction time. Key Points: • For unenhanced head CT, DLR reduced the image noise and improved the GM-WM contrast and lesion delineation without sacrificing the natural noise texture and image sharpness relative to HIR. • The subjective and objective image quality of DLR was better than that of HIR even at 25% reduced dose without considerably increasing the image reconstruction times (24 s vs. 11 s). • Despite the strong noise reduction and improved GM-WM contrast performance, MBIR degraded the noise texture, sharpness, and subjective acceptance with prolonged reconstruction times relative to HIR, potentially hampering its feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The preservation of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) is essential for avoiding neurological sequelae after mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) surgery. The purpose of this study is to reveal the anatomical variation in which the perforating branches arise from the plexal segment of the AChA by using a modern neuroimaging modality. Methods: This study analyzed 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) images from 56 subjects. The AChA and perforating branches were visualized using slab MIP. We analyzed branching patterns, courses of the perforating arteries arising from the plexal segment of the AChA, and the anastomosis of the AChA with other cerebral arteries. Results: The slab MIP applied to 3DRA visualized one or more perforating branches from the AChA in 92.9% of cases. The presence of perforating branches arising from the AChA plexal segment was 17.3%. Most of the branching points of plexal perforators were likely located in the operative field during hippocampal resection. The course of the AChA plexal perforators included the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Anastomosis with other cerebral arteries was visualized in 25% of the AChA with plexal perforators. Conclusions: 3DRA slab MIP was useful for visualizing the perforating branches of the AChA. Our results showed the possibility that surgical manipulation of the choroid plexus may cause infarction in the AChA territory. We suggest that the existence of the AChA plexal perforators should be recognized to further enhance the safety of hippocampal resection for mTLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a combined wavelet and deep-learning reconstruction (DLR) method for under-sampled pituitary MRI. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 consecutive patients who underwent under-sampled pituitary T2-weighted images (T2WI). Images were reconstructed using either the conventional wavelet denoising method (wavelet method) or the wavelet and DLR methods combined (hybrid DLR method) at five denoising levels. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the CSF, hypothalamic, and pituitary images and the contrast between structures were compared between the two image types. Noise quality, contrast, sharpness, artifacts, and overall image quality were evaluated by two board-certified radiologists. The quantitative and the qualitative analyses were performed with robust two-way repeated analyses of variance. Results: Using the hybrid DLR method, the SNR of the CSF progressively increased as denoising levels increased. By contrast, with the wavelet method, the SNR of the CSF, hypothalamus, and pituitary did not increase at higher denoising levels. There was a significant main effect of denoising methods (p < 0.001) and denoising levels (p < 0.001), and an interaction between denoising methods and denoising levels (p < 0.001). For all five qualitative scores, there was a significant main effect of denoising methods (p < 0.001) and an interaction between denoising methods and denoising levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The hybrid DLR method can provide higher image quality for T2WI of the pituitary with compressed sensing (CS) than the wavelet method alone, especially at higher denoising levels. Key Points: •The signal-to-noise ratios of cerebrospinal fluid progressively increased with the hybrid DLR method, with an increase in the denoising level for cerebrospinal fluid in pituitary T2WI with CS. •The signal-to-noise ratios of cerebrospinal fluid using the conventional wavelet method did not increase at higher denoising levels. •All qualitative scores of hybrid deep-learning reconstructions at all denoising levels were higher than those for the wavelet denoising method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc nanoparticles applied in the production of zinc–air batteries provide the highest specific energy among various metal–air combinations used in batteries in practice. Recent technical advances provide an opportunity to successfully solve the problems experienced during the early development of batteries of this type. For example, there is a major limitation in recharging cycles due to the massive formation of zinc oxide. In the present work, a reduction process is proposed on the basis of the use of alcohol solvent by applying microwave in-liquid plasma. The occurrence of reduction was confirmed by calculating the chemical potential of ethanol and methanol as well as spectra of plasma emission in the temperature range 1500–2000 K. Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was carried out by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]