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For a C ∞ stable map f : M → Q of a compact 3-manifold with boundary into a surface without boundary, we show that f is homotopic to a stable map which has no B 2 points if the Euler characteristic of each connected component of the boundary of M is even. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient noise appearing in the data from gravitational‐wave detectors frequently causes problems, such as instability of the detectors and overlapping or mimicking gravitational‐wave signals. Because transient noise is considered to be associated with the environment and instrument, its classification would help to understand its origin and improve the detector's performance. In a previous study, an architecture for classifying transient noise using a time–frequency 2D image (spectrogram) is proposed, which uses unsupervised deep learning combined with variational autoencoder and invariant information clustering. The proposed unsupervised‐learning architecture is applied to the Gravity Spy dataset, which consists of Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational‐Wave Observatory (Advanced LIGO) transient noises with their associated metadata to discuss the potential for online or offline data analysis. In this study, focused on the Gravity Spy dataset, the training process of unsupervised‐learning architecture of the previous study is examined and reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist NTP42 is in clinical development for treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I clinical trial, NTP42, administered as the oral formulation NTP42:KVA4, was evaluated for safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) in healthy males. Methods: The first-in-human trial had three Parts: A, single ascending dose (SAD) study with seven groups given 0.25–243 mg NTP42:KVA4 or placebo; B, food effect study where one SAD group (9 mg) was also given NTP42:KVA4 or placebo after a high-fat breakfast; C, multiple ascending dose study with three groups given 15–135 mg NTP42:KVA4 or placebo once-daily for 7 days. Results: Seventy-nine volunteers participated. No serious adverse events occurred, where any drug- or placebo-related adverse events were mild to moderate, with no correlation to NTP42:KVA4 dose. NTP42 was rapidly absorbed, yielding dose proportional increases in exposure after single and repeat dosing. PK confirmed that, with a clearance (T1/2) of 18.7 h, NTP42:KVA4 is suited to once-daily dosing, can be taken with or without food, and does not accumulate on repeat dosing. At doses ≥1 mg, NTP42 led to complete and sustained inhibition of thromboxane-, but not ADP-, induced platelet aggregation ex vivo, with direct correlation between NTP42 exposure and duration of PD effects. Conclusion: Orally administered NTP42:KVA4 was well tolerated, with favorable PK/PD profiles and evidence of specific TP target engagement. These findings support continued clinical development of NTP42:KVA4 for cardiopulmonary or other relevant diseases with unmet needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to clarify the pathological features of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) that is undetectable on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)., Material and Methods: This single-center and retrospective study enrolled 33 men with prostate cancer (PC), encompassing 109 PC lesions, who underwent mpMRI before radical prostatectomy. Two radiologists independently assessed the mpMR images of all lesions and compared them with the pathological findings of PC. All PC lesions were marked on resected specimens using prostate imaging reporting and data system version 2.1 and classified into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detectable and MRI-undetectable PC lesions. Each lesion was classified into csPC and clinically insignificant PC. Pathological characteristics were compared between MRI-detectable and MRI-undetectable csPC. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with MRI detectability. A logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with MRI-detectable and MRI-undetectable csPC., Results: Among 109 PC lesions, MRI-detectable and MRI-undetectable PCs accounted for 31% (34/109) and 69% (75/109) of lesions, respectively. All MRI-detectable PCs were csPC. MRI-undetectable PCs included 30 cases of csPC (40%). The detectability of csPC on mpMRI was 53% (34/64). The MRI-undetectable csPC group had a shorter major diameter (10.6 ± 6.6 mm vs. 19.0 ± 6.9 mm, P < 0.001), shorter minor diameter (5.7 ± 2.9 mm vs. 10.7 ± 3.4 mm, P < 0.001), and lower percentage of lesions with Gleason pattern 5 (17% vs. 71%, P < 0.001). Shorter minor diameter (odds ratio [OR], 2.62; P = 0.04) and lower percentage of Gleason pattern 5 (OR, 24; P = 0.01) were independent predictors of MRI-undetectable csPC., Conclusion: The pathological features of MRI-undetectable csPC included shorter minor diameter and lower percentage of Gleason pattern 5. csPC with shorter minor diameter may not be detected on mpMRI. Some MRI-undetectable csPC lesions exhibited sufficient size and Gleason pattern 5, emphasizing the need for further understanding of pathological factors contributing to MRI detectability., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Journal of Clinical Imaging Science.)

Background: Although aortic aneurysm is associated with vascular aging and atherosclerosis, carotid and intracranial vascular disease prevalence in patients with aortic arch aneurysm remains unclear. Similarly, the effect of carotid and intracranial lesions on postoperative outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and intracranial lesions in patients with aortic arch aneurysm and its association with intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) and postoperative neurological outcomes, including delirium and cerebral infarction., Methods: This retrospective observational study included 133 patients with true aortic arch aneurysm who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated the prevalence of carotid and intracranial arterial lesions. Symptomatic cerebral infarction and delirium, defined by the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit, were evaluated for their association with preoperative cerebrovascular lesions. Additionally, changes in regional saturation of the cerebral tissue at different surgical phases were evaluated for patients with and without cerebrovascular lesions., Results: Fifteen (11.3%) patients experienced symptomatic cerebral infarction, and 64 (48.1%) had postoperative delirium. Preoperative MRI showed old infarction, microbleeds, significant carotid artery stenosis, and intracranial lesions in 21.1%, 14.3%, 10.5%, and 7.5% of the patients, respectively. White matter hyperintensities with Fazekas scale 2 were observed in 40.6% of the patients, while Fazekas scale 3 were observed in 18.8% of the patients. Preoperative MRI findings and postoperative neurological outcomes were not significantly different. Seventy-six patients underwent rScO2 monitoring intraoperatively. Changes in rScO2 in patients with and without carotid/cerebrovascular lesions were not significantly different. However, rScO2 was significantly lower in patients who developed cerebral infarction., Conclusions: Significant carotid artery stenosis and intracranial lesions were observed in 10.5% and 7.5% of the patients, respectively. Although preoperative MRI findings and changes in rScO2 or postoperative outcomes showed no significant association, patients with postoperative cerebral infarction showed significantly lower rScO2 intraoperatively., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jtd-24-78/coif). A.Y. received consulting fee from Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.)