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This paper is to determine an initial value for a time-fractional diffusion-wave equation from the final time data. The regularity of the weak solution for the direct problem is improved. The existence and uniqueness of a weak solution for the adjoint problem are proved by using the Fourier method. The Tikhonov regularization method is applied for finding a stable approximate solution. In order to get the minimizer of the Tikhonov regularization functional, we propose a conjugate gradient algorithm based on the strict deductions of the sensitive problem and the adjoint problem. Four numerical examples in one-dimensional and two-dimensional cases are provided to show the effectiveness and stability of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of four chemicals on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) silage. Wilted alfalfa was ensiled without additive (control), or with formic acid (FA), potassium diformate (KDF), sodium diacetate (SDA) or calcium propionate (CAP). RESULTS After 60 days of ensiling, the pH values in FA, KDF and SDA silages were lower ( P < 0.05) compared to that of control and CAP silages, and chemicals ( P < 0.05) decreased butyric acid and ammonia N concentrations and populations of aerobic bacteria and yeasts compared to the control. The SDA and CAP silages had a higher ( P < 0.05) lactic acid bacteria content compared to the FA and KDF silages. The SDA and CAP silages had higher ( P < 0.05) acetic and propionic acid contents compared to the other silages, respectively. The ammonia N concentrations in the FA and KDF silages were lower compared to the other silages during the first 5 days of aerobic exposure, and then increased sharply to 105 and 100 g kg-1 total N, respectively, which was higher ( P < 0.05) than that of the SDA and CAP silages on day 9 of aerobic exposure. Yeasts and aerobic bacteria counts in SDA silage slowly increased and remained at lower levels compared to the other silages after 7 days of aerobic exposure. CONCLUSION Additives prolonged the aerobic stability duration compared to the control, and the SDA and CAP silages remained stable for more than 216 h, followed by the KDF and FA silages (202 and 196 h, respectively). © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the role of periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in correcting distortion and evaluating head and neck masses. Materials and methods: Both PROPELLER and echo planar diffusion weighted imaging (EP-DWI) with different b values were performed using 3 T MRI in 50 patients with solid masses of the head and neck. Distortion severity of 50 masses with both DWI techniques and different b values was qualitatively scored and compared. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the 45 masses, in which the distortion scores with both DWI techniques were ≥2, were measured and calculated. The mean ADC value of each DWI sequence between benign and malignant masses was compared. Results: The mean distortion scores of PROPELLER DWIs were significantly higher than EP-DWIs (3.87 versus 1.96, and 3.88 versus 2.00, with b values of 1000 and 500 s/mm2, respectively, p < 0.001), indicating distortion of the mass on PROPELLER DWIs was much less than that on EP-DWIs. With either PROPELLER or EP-DWI, the mean ADC value of 24 malignant tumours was significantly lower than that of 21 benign masses (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Severe distortion of head and neck masses can be reduced significantly using PROPELLER DWI. Moreover, PROPELLER DWI plays an important role in differentiating malignancies from benign masses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: It is important to distinguish between orbital cavernous haemangioma and schwannoma because the treatments of choice for the two tumours are different. The aim was to evaluate MR imaging findings distinguishing the two tumours.Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging including T1- and T2-weighted imaging and contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 43 patients with cavernous haemangiomas and 16 patients with schwannomas confirmed by pathology. Location, configuration, margins, signal intensity, homogeneity and enhancement pattern of the tumour were retrospectively evaluated.Results: There was a significant difference between cavernous haemangiomas and schwannomas regarding the location, configuration and margins of the mass, signal intensity and homogeneity on T1- and T2-weighted imaging, the spread pattern of contrast enhancement, the enhancement pattern and the type of time-intensity curve (P<0.05). Markedly homogeneous hyperintensity signal on T2-weighted imaging and the spread pattern of the contrast enhancement favoured cavernous haemangioma rather than schwannoma (P<0.01).Conclusion: Cavernous haemangiomas and schwannomas have different MR imaging features that could be helpful in the differentiation between the tumours. The spread pattern of the contrast enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging is the most reliable finding distinguishing cavernous haemangiomas from schwannomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging including dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in the differentiation of benign from malignant orbital masses and to evaluate which MR imaging features are most predictive of malignant tumors.Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the institutional review board and signed informed consent was obtained. Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 102 adult patients with an orbital mass. Diagnosis was based on histologic findings. MR imaging features of benign and malignant orbital lesions were evaluated correlated with histological findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the best combination of MR imaging features that might be predictive of malignancy.Results: Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic enhancement MR imaging was significantly superior to two other models in prediction of malignancy (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that the most discriminating MR imaging features were isointense mass on T2-weighted imaging and a washout-type time-intensity curve for both observers.Conclusion: Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic enhancement MR imaging improved differentiation between benign and malignant orbital masses in adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the transcriptional coactivator p300 in cell cycle control has not been analysed in detail due to the lack of appropriate experimental systems. We have now examined cell cycle progression of p300-deficient cancer cell lines, where p300 was disrupted either by gene targeting (p300− cells) or knocked down using RNAi. Despite significant proliferation defects under normal growth conditions, p300-deficient cells progressed rapidly through G1 with premature S-phase entry. Accelerated G1/S transition was associated with early retinoblastoma (RB) hyperphosphorylation and activation of E2F targets. The p300-acetylase activity was dispensable since expression of a HAT-deficient p300 mutant reversed these changes. Co-immunoprecipitation showed p300/RB interaction occurs in vivo during G1, and this interaction has two peaks: in early G1 with unphosphorylated RB and in late G1 with phosphorylated RB. In vitro kinase assays showed that p300 directly inhibits cdk6-mediated RB phosphorylation, suggesting p300 acts in early G1 to prevent RB hyperphosphorylation and delay premature S-phase entry. Paradoxically, continued cycling of p300− cells despite prolonged serum depletion was observed, and this occurred in association with persistent RB hyperphosphorylation. Altogether, these results suggest that p300 has an important role in G1/S control, possibly by modulating RB phosphorylation.Oncogene (2007) 26, 21–29. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209771; published online 31 July 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the value of orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in predicting the efficacy of intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) for patients with retinoblastoma (RB). The pretreatment clinical and MRI data of 100 eyes from 80 RB patients who underwent IVC were collected retrospectively. There were 59 eyes in the effective group and 41 eyes in the ineffective group, and the baseline data of the two groups were compared statistically. Three radiologists reviewed and evaluated each lesion independently based on 25 MRI features. The predictive values of the MRI features for IVC efficacy were assessed by multi-factor logistic regression analysis, and their odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) with the area under the curve (AUC) were used to determine the predictive abilities. A predictive model was constructed by integrating all independent predictors visualised by the nomogram. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in sex or age between the effective and ineffective groups. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that laterality, margin, and anterior eye segment enhancement were identified as independent factors that could predict IVC efficacy. The predictive model combining these three features was constructed, and it had an AUC of 0.732 (95% CI: 0.633, 0.831, p <0.01), a sensitivity of 71.2%, and a specificity of 70.7%. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that the orbital MRI features can be used to predict IVC efficiency before RB patients are treated. • Value of orbital MRI in predicting the efficacy of IVC for RB were analyzed. • Laterality, margin, and AES enhancement could predict IVC efficacy. • Calcification yielded a poor predictive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of iron on the formation of Al–Mn–Fe intermetallic compounds (IMCs) has been investigated in the solidification of Mg–9Al-0.7Zn-0.2Mn (wt.%, AZ91) with iron contents ranging from ∼0.001 to > 0.01 wt.% Fe. Four Al–Mn–Fe IMCs formed depending on the Fe-content and location in the crucible: B2–Al(Fe,Mn), Al 8 Mn 5 , Al 11 Mn 4 and, at the bottom of crucibles, Al 5 Fe 2. The four IMCs nucleated and grew on one another, producing multiphase particles. These usually contained numerous orientations that were all interrelated through simple orientation relationships that are discussed in terms of the similarities between the IMC crystal structures. The iron content affected the IMC phase fractions and the multiphase particle morphology. At low iron content, the Fe-rich B2 phase was encapsulated by a low-Fe Al 8 Mn 5 shell. With increasing iron content, the Fe-rich phases (B2 and Al 5 Fe 2) gradually became in direct contact with the α-Mg. The threshold Fe:Mn content for adequate corrosion performance is found to correlate approximately to where B2–Al(Fe,Mn) first becomes exposed to the α-Mg matrix. • Al–Mn–Fe IMCs nucleate on each other with interrelated orientation relationships. • Al 8 Mn 5 and Al 11 Mn 4 grow to fully or partially cover the Fe-rich B2–Al(Fe,Mn) core. • B2–Al(Fe,Mn) become in direct contact with α-Mg as Fe content increases. • Threshold Fe:Mn for corrosion correlates to B2–Al(Fe,Mn) becoming exposed to α-Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop and validate an artificial intelligence system, the Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis Artificial Intelligence Conduct System (PAICS), to detect different patterns of fetal intracranial abnormality in standard sonographic reference planes for screening for congenital central nervous system (CNS) malformations.Methods: Neurosonographic images from normal fetuses and fetuses with CNS malformations at 18-40 gestational weeks were retrieved from the databases of two tertiary hospitals in China and assigned randomly (ratio, 8:1:1) to training, fine-tuning and internal validation datasets to develop and evaluate the PAICS. The system was built based on a real-time convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm, You Only Look Once, version 3 (YOLOv3). An image dataset from a third tertiary hospital was used to further validate, externally, the performance of the PAICS and to compare its performance with that of sonologists with different levels of expertise. Furthermore, a prospective video dataset was employed to evaluate the performance of the PAICS in a real-time scan scenario. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the performance of the PAICS and to compare this with the performance of sonologists with different levels of experience.Results: In total, 43 890 images from 16 297 pregnancies and 169 videos from 166 pregnancies were used to develop and validate the PAICS. The system achieved excellent performance in identifying 10 types of intracranial image pattern, with macro- and microaverage AUCs, respectively, of 0.933 (95% CI, 0.798-1.000) and 0.977 (95% CI, 0.970-0.985) for the internal validation image dataset, 0.902 (95% CI, 0.816-0.989) and 0.898 (95% CI, 0.885-0.911) for the external validation image dataset and 0.969 (95% CI, 0.886-1.000) and 0.981 (95% CI, 0.974-0.988) in the real-time scan setting. The performance of the PAICS was comparable to that of expert sonologists in terms of macro- and microaverage accuracy (P = 0.863 and P = 0.775, respectively), sensitivity (P = 0.883, P = 0.846) and AUC (P = 0.891, P = 0.788), but required significantly less time (0.025 s per image for PAICS vs 4.4 s for experts, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Both in the image dataset and in the real-time scan setting, the PAICS achieved excellent diagnostic performance for various fetal CNS abnormalities. Its performance was comparable to that of experts, but it required less time. A CNN algorithm can be trained to detect fetal CNS abnormalities. The PAICS has the potential to be an effective and efficient tool in screening for fetal CNS malformations in clinical practice. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene expression during muscle cell differentiation is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including translation initiation. The PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway exerts control over protein synthesis by regulating assembly of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4F, a heterotrimeric complex that stimulates recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA templates. One of the subunits of eIF4F, eIF4A, supplies essential helicase function during this phase of translation. The presence of two cellular eIF4A isoforms, eIF4AI and eIF4AII, has long thought to impart equivalent functions to eIF4F. However, recent experiments have alluded to distinct activities between them. Herein, we characterize distinct regulatory mechanisms between the eIF4A isoforms during muscle cell differentiation. We find that eIF4AI levels decrease during differentiation whereas eIF4AII levels increase during myofiber formation in a MyoD-dependent manner. This study characterizes a previously undefined mechanism for eIF4AII regulation in differentiation and highlights functional differences between eIF4AI and eIF4AII. Finally, RNAi-mediated alterations in eIF4AI and eIF4AII levels indicate that the myogenic process can tolerate short term reductions in eIF4AI or eIF4AII levels, but not both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a systematic study on the magnetic, dielectric, and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of the Y-type hexaferrite (Ba0.4Sr1.6)Zn2(Fe11.3Al0.7)O22 single crystal. The phase diagrams were established by the observed magnetic anomalies under magnetic field and temperature scans for the in-plane and out-of-plane cases. Intrinsic large anisotropy in the magnetodielectric and converse ME effects was revealed. The spin-driven electric polarizations induced in the ab-plane and out-of-plane were found to be closely related to the transverse conical and alternating longitudinal conical spin structures, respectively. The amplitudes of varied magnetization ΔM are about ∼0.128 μB/f.u and ∼0.0178 μB/f.u. in the E oscillating between ±1 MV/m at 100 K, corresponding to the converse ME effect coefficient of ∼3500 ps/m and ∼480 ps/m for the in-plane and out-of-plane cases, respectively. All these results demonstrate the essential and unique spin-order-induced anisotropic ferroelectricity and ME properties in these Y-type hexaferrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of using deep‐learning algorithms to classify as normal or abnormal sonographic images of the fetal brain obtained in standard axial planes. Methods: We included in the study images retrieved from a large hospital database from 10 251 normal and 2529 abnormal pregnancies. Abnormal cases were confirmed by neonatal ultrasound, follow‐up examination or autopsy. After a series of pretraining data processing steps, 15 372 normal and 14 047 abnormal fetal brain images in standard axial planes were obtained. These were divided into training and test datasets (at case level rather than image level), at a ratio of approximately 8:2. The training data were used to train the algorithms for three purposes: performance of image segmentation along the fetal skull, classification of the image as normal or abnormal and localization of the lesion. The accuracy was then tested on the test datasets, with performance of segmentation being assessed using precision, recall and Dice's coefficient (DICE), calculated to measure the extent of overlap between human‐labeled and machine‐segmented regions. We assessed classification accuracy by calculating the sensitivity and specificity for abnormal images. Additionally, for 2491 abnormal images, we determined how well each lesion had been localized by overlaying heat maps created by an algorithm on the segmented ultrasound images; an expert judged these in terms of how satisfactory was the lesion localization by the algorithm, classifying this as having been done precisely, closely or irrelevantly. Results: Segmentation precision, recall and DICE were 97.9%, 90.9% and 94.1%, respectively. For classification, the overall accuracy was 96.3%. The sensitivity and specificity for identification of abnormal images were 96.9% and 95.9%, respectively, and the area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve was 0.989 (95% CI, 0.986–0.991). The algorithms located lesions precisely in 61.6% (1535/2491) of the abnormal images, closely in 24.6% (614/2491) and irrelevantly in 13.7% (342/2491). Conclusions: Deep‐learning algorithms can be trained for segmentation and classification of normal and abnormal fetal brain ultrasound images in standard axial planes and can provide heat maps for lesion localization. This study lays the foundation for further research on the differential diagnosis of fetal intracranial abnormalities. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) in reducing ocular motion artefacts and improving image quality of orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T using an eye surface coil.Materials and Methods: Forty-six patients underwent orbital 3 T MRI using an eye surface coil. The pre-contrast axial T2-wighted (W) PROPELLER and T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) PROPELLER imaging were performed on 21 patients, and conventional T2W and T1W imaging were performed on 25 patients. The ocular motion artefacts, delineation of anatomical structures, depiction of lesions, and image quality were evaluated independently by two radiologists using a five-point scale. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of anatomical structures and lesions were measured.Results: The interobserver agreement was good to excellent (kappa values from 0.79 to 0.91). PROPELLER sequences had higher scoring than the conventional sequences in all cases (p<0.05). PROPELLER images showed fewer motion artefacts, higher image quality, and more clear delineation of anatomical structures and lesions than the non-PROPELLER images. T2W PROPELLER images produced higher SNRs in lens, vitreous body, lacrimal gland, and lesions than conventional T2W images (p<0.05). T1 FLAIR PROPELLER images showed lower SNRs in lens, vitreous body, medial rectus, lateral rectus, temporalis, and posterior half of optic nerve than conventional T1W images (p<0.05).Conclusion: PROPELLER can effectively reduce ocular motion artefacts and improve image quality, which plays an important role in clearly delineating anatomical structures and lesions on orbital 3 T MRI using an eye surface coil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the upper airway morphology changes associated with ageing in adult Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Methods: A total of 124 male patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea by overnight polysomnography, who underwent upper airway computed tomography, were enrolled. The linear dimensions, cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway region and the surrounding bony frame were measured. The association between ageing and upper airway morphology was analysed. Results: Soft palate length, minimum cross-sectional area of the retroglossal region, lateral dimensions at the minimum cross-sectional area of the retropalatal and retroglossal regions, nasopharyngeal volume, and average cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal region were found to significantly increase with ageing in all patients, while the upper airway shape flattened with ageing. The volume of the retropalatal region increased with ageing among the patients with a body mass index of less than 24 kg/m2. The volume of parapharyngeal fat pad increased with ageing among patients with a body mass index greater than 28 kg/m2. Conclusion: A number of dimensional, cross-sectional and volumetric parameters of the pharynx increased with age, indicating that non-anatomical factors may play a more important role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea in aged patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debilitating cancer-induced muscle wasting, a syndrome known as cachexia, is lethal. Here we report a posttranscriptional pathway involving the RNA-binding protein HuR as a key player in the onset of this syndrome. Under these conditions, HuR switches its function from a promoter of muscle fiber formation to become an inducer of muscle loss. HuR binds to the STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) mRNA, which encodes one of the main effectors of this condition, promoting its expression both in vitro and in vivo. While HuR does not affect the stability and the cellular movement of this transcript, HuR promotes the translation of the STAT3 mRNA by preventing miR-330 (microRNA 330).mediated translation inhibition. To achieve this effect, HuR directly binds to a U-rich element in the STAT3 mRNA-3'untranslated region (UTR) located within the vicinity of the miR-330 seed element. Even though the binding sites of HuR and miR-330 do not overlap, the recruitment of either one of them to the STAT3-3'UTR negatively impacts the binding and the function of the other factor. Therefore, together, our data establish the competitive interplay between HuR and miR-330 as a mechanism via which muscle fibers modulate, in part, STAT3 expression to determine their fate in response to promoters of muscle wasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of microstructure during melting, reactive wetting and solidification of solder pastes on Cu-plated printed circuit boards has been studied by synchrotron radiography. Using Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu/Cu and Sn-0.7Cu/Cu as examples, we show that the interfacial Cu6Sn5 layer is present within 0.05 s of wetting, and explore the kinetics of flux void formation at the interface between the liquid and the Cu6Sn5 layer. Quantification of the nucleation locations and anisotropic growth kinetics of primary Cu6Sn5 crystals reveals a competition between the nucleation of Cu6Sn5 in the liquid versus growth of Cu6Sn5 from the existing Cu6Sn5 layer. Direct imaging confirms that the β-Sn nucleates at/near the Cu6Sn5 layer in Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu/Cu joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The U.S. continues to have one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world. Studies have shown that full-time employment and early return to work decreased breastfeeding duration, but little is known about the relationship between leave policies and breastfeeding initiation and cessation. This study aimed to identify workplace-related barriers and facilitators associated with breastfeeding initiation and cessation in the first 6 months postpartum.Methods: A prospective cohort study design was utilized to recruit 817 Minnesota women aged 18 and older while hospitalized for childbirth. Selection criteria included English-speaking, employed mothers with a healthy, singleton birth. These women were followed up using telephone interviews at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months after childbirth. The main study outcomes were breastfeeding initiation, measured during hospital enrollment, and breastfeeding cessation by 6 months postpartum.Results: Women were 30 years old; 86 % were White, and 73 % were married. Breastfeeding rates were 81 % at childbirth, 67 % at 6 weeks, 49 % at 12 weeks, and 33 % at 6 months postpartum. Logistic regression revealed the odds of breastfeeding initiation were higher for women who: held professional jobs, were primiparae, had graduate degree, did not smoke prenatally, had no breastfeeding problems, and had family or friends who breastfeed. Survival analyses showed the hazard for breastfeeding cessation by 6 months was: higher for women who returned to work at any time during the 6 months postpartum versus those who did not return, lower for professional workers, higher among single than married women, higher for every educational category compared to graduate school, and higher for those with no family or friends who breastfeed.Conclusions: While employer paid leave policy did not affect breastfeeding initiation or cessation, women who took shorter leaves were more likely to stop breastfeeding in the first 6 months postpartum. Future research should examine women's awareness of employer policies regarding paid and unpaid leave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective The aim of this study is to predict early distant failure in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using clinical parameters by machine learning algorithms. Materials/methods The dataset used in this work includes 81 early stage NSCLC patients with at least 6 months of follow-up who underwent SBRT between 2006 and 2012 at a single institution. The clinical parameters ( n = 18) for each patient include demographic parameters, tumor characteristics, treatment fraction schemes, and pretreatment medications. Three predictive models were constructed based on different machine learning algorithms: (1) artificial neural network (ANN), (2) logistic regression (LR) and (3) support vector machine (SVM). Furthermore, to select an optimal clinical parameter set for the model construction, three strategies were adopted: (1) clonal selection algorithm (CSA) based selection strategy; (2) sequential forward selection (SFS) method; and (3) statistical analysis (SA) based strategy. 5-cross-validation is used to validate the performance of each predictive model. The accuracy was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of the system was also evaluated. Results The AUCs for ANN, LR and SVM were 0.75, 0.73, and 0.80, respectively. The sensitivity values for ANN, LR and SVM were 71.2%, 72.9% and 83.1%, while the specificity values for ANN, LR and SVM were 59.1%, 63.6% and 63.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the CSA based strategy outperformed SFS and SA in terms of AUC, sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions Based on clinical parameters, the SVM with the CSA optimal parameter set selection strategy achieves better performance than other strategies for predicting distant failure in lung SBRT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the value of 3 T Periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) DUO diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in differentiating sinonasal lymphomas from carcinomas. Materials and methods PROPELLER DUO DW-MRI was performed in 23 patients with sinonasal lymphomas and 28 patients with carcinomas histologically confirmed at 3 T MRI. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were obtained with two different b-values (b = 0 and 700 s/mm 2 , b = 0 and 1000 s/mm 2 ) and two different regions of interest (ROIs) sampling strategies [whole section (WS), partial section (PS)], respectively. Difference in ADCs between sinonasal lymphomas and carcinomas was evaluated using the independent samples t -test or Mann–Whitney U -test. The utility of ADC thresholds for discriminating between them was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results ADCs of sinonasal lymphomas (WS ADC b0,700 , 0.838 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s) were significantly ( p < 0.001) lower than those of carcinomas (WS ADC b0,700 , 1.396 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s). Using a WS ADC b0,700 value of 1.040 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s as the threshold value effectively differentiated sinonasal lymphomas from carcinomas with 100% sensitivity, 82.1% specificity, and 82.1% positive and 100% negative predictive values and 90.2% accuracy (b = 0, 700 s/mm 2 ). There was no significant difference in diagnostic ability between different b-values settings ( p > 0.05) and different sampling strategies of ROIs ( p > 0.05), respectively. Additionally, there was significant differences in the ADCs between diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas ( p < 0.05). Conclusion PROPELLER DUO DW-MRI can effectively differentiate sinonasal lymphomas from carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the time-dependent changes and provide imaging evidence for diagnosis and therapy in indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (ITON) patients with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The differences between injured optic nerve (ON) and contralateral ON as well as the DT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were tested on 28 subjects with ITON. Results reveal reduced fractional anisotropy (FA), increased radial and mean diffusivity of injured nerve

Objective: To examine the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) (rs1130409, rs1760944, rs2307486 and rs3136817) in APEX1 with the risk of severe radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) after radiotherapy among Han Chinese patients with lung cancer. Methods: A total of 168 patients with lung cancer who were receiving radiotherapy were prospectively recruited. RP was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. A case-control study was performed. The case group included patients with RP grade of ≥3, while the control group comprised patients with RP grades <3. Four tagSNPs of APEX1 were genotyped in 126 patients with complete follow-up by multi-SNaP-shot® (Genesky Biotechnologies Inc., Shanghai, China) genotyping assays. Results were assessed by a logistic regression model for RP risk and Mantal-Cox log-rank test for the cumulative RP probability by the genotypes. Results: rs1130409 was associated with severe RP. GT genotype of rs1130409 was significantly higher in patients with RP than in those of the control group [68.8% vs 41.8%; p = 0.025; resulting odds ratio (OR), 5.98], Patients with lung cancer bearing the G allele had a 5.83-fold higher risk of RP than those with the wild TT genotype [OR = 5.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-26.90; p = 0.024], and this was further confirmed by the binary regression adjusted by some confounding factors, including Karnofsky performance scale, concurrent chemotherapy-radiotherapy and lung volume receiving >30Gy (OR = 6.96; 95% CI, 1.36-35.77; p = 0.02). rs1130409 was also associated with the time to occurrence of severe RP (p = 0.04). Three-dimensional model APEX1 protein showed that rs!130409 is located in the random coil structure corresponding to the DNA repair function region. Advances in knowledge: rs1130409 of APEX1 can be a predictor of RP grades ≥3 among patients with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the clinical effectiveness, complications, and optimal duration of use of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents in the management of cuff-related tracheal stenosis. Materials and methods: Twenty-one patients with cuff-related tracheal stenosis, Meyer–Cotton grade II (29%) and III (71%), who underwent fluoroscopically guided placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents were studied. Sixty-four-section computed tomography (CT) and bronchovideoscopy were performed prior to stent insertion, 1 month after stent insertion, in the case of stent-related complications, and after stent removal. Clinical manifestations, Hugh–Jones classification, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were used to evaluate respiratory function before and after stent insertion and removal. The diameter of the stricture and FEV1 changes before insertion and after removal were analysed using the paired samples t-test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Twenty-one patients had 27 covered retrievable expandable metallic stents placed. Stents were electively removed from 20 patients. The median duration of stent placement was 5 months (range 4–12 months). One stent was not removed due to mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II or Hunter syndrome) with tracheomalacia. After stent removal, airway dimensions increased and airway occlusion was symptomatically relieved in all patients. CT and bronchovideoscopy showed patent lumens with increased dimensions. Stent-related complications occurred in 19 (91%) patients, including granulation tissue formation (n = 18, 86%), stent migration and stent expectoration (n = 2, 10%), mucus plugging (n = 1, 5%), and halitosis (n = 6, 29%). Some patients experienced multiple complications, which were all managed effectively while the stent was still in place. There was a statistically significant difference in the diameter of the stricture and FEV1 between the time of stent insertion and removal. An improvement in Hugh–Jones classification of greater than one grade was seen in patients after stent removal. Conclusion: Temporary placement of a fully covered retrievable expandable metallic stent is safe and effective in cuff-related tracheal stenosis. The optimal duration of stent placement may be 4–8 months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Optic neuritis (ON) is defined as an inflammation of the optic nerve and provides a useful model for studying the effects of inflammatory demyelination of white matter. The aim of this study was to assess the diffusion changes in both the optic nerve and optic radiation in patients with acute and chronic ON using diffusion tensor (DT) MRI. Methods: 33 patients with idiopathic demyelinating optic neuritis (IDON) and 33 gender- and age-matched healthy controls were examined with DT-MRI and with T1 and T2 weighted MRI. Results: Compared with controls, both first-episode and recurrent patients with IDON in the acute stage showed significantly increased radial diffusivity (λ˔) and decreased mean fractional anisotropy (FA) in the affected nerves. Reduced FA, increased λ˔, mean diffusivity (MD) and axial diffusivity (λ‖) were determined in patients with subacute IDON. We found no significant difference in the directional diffusivity of optic radiation in patients whose disease had lasted less than 1 year compared with healthy controls. However, significant changes in the FA and lH of the optic radiation were detected in patients with disease duration of more than 1 year. Conclusion: These results show the great potential and capacity of DT-MRI measures as useful biomarkers and indicators for the evaluation ofmyelin injury in the visual pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopic pituitary adenomas (EPAs) are rare lesions. The purpose of this study was to describe the CT and MRI features of sphenoid sinus EPAs. Eight patients with histology-proven EPAs in the sphenoid sinus, all of whom underwent CT and MRI, were reviewed retrospectively. The following imaging features were analysed: (i) size, (ii) margin, (iii) CT attenuation characteristics and (iv) MRI signal intensity. In addition, the involvement of adjacent structures and the time-intensity curve (TIC) of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI were analysed. All EPAs had well-defined margins and showed no relationship to the intrasellar pituitary gland. The mean size was 28 mm (range, 20-46 mm). On non-enhanced CT, the lesions appeared isodense to grey matter in 7 (88%) patients and hypodense in 1 (12%) patient. Only two patients underwent post-contrast CT, and they showed moderate enhancement. On T1 weighted images, EPAs appeared isointense in 6 (75%) patients and hypointense in 2 (25%). On T2 weighted images, the lesions appeared hyperintense in 2 (25%) patients and isointense in 6 (75%). EPAs showed mild to moderate heterogeneous contrast enhancement and exhibited a cribriform-like appearance. Two patients underwent DCE MRI; the TIC showed a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern. The following features were also seen: an empty sella, bone changes and involvement of the cavernous sinus (5 patients; 62.5%). In conclusion, a high index of suspicion for EPA and a familiarity with the imaging findings may help to diagnose this rare entity accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate whether standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could distinguish vagal paragangliomas (VPs) from carotid body tumours (CBTs) in the parapharyngeal space.Methods and Materials: Thirteen VPs in 13 patients and 29 CBTs in 26 patients were included in this study. MRI features were evaluated independently by two head and neck radiologists with 10 and 16 years of experience (X.Wang and Y.Chen).Results: Significant differences were found in shape, direction of internal carotid artery (ICA) displacement, splaying of the carotid bifurcation, involvement of the jugular foramen, and maximum vertical diameters between VPs and CBTs (p=0.016, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Splaying of the carotid bifurcation was found in all the 29 CBTs for both observers, whereas only four VPs for observer 1 and two for observer 2 showed this feature. The ICA was displaced posteriorly in all the 29 patients with CBTs for both observers, and only three patients with VPs for observer 1 and two for observer 2. Involvement of the jugular foramen was found in seven patients with VPs for both observers, while none of patients with CBT showed this feature. With the combination of splaying of the carotid bifurcation and involvement of the jugular foramen, the multiple logistic regression model revealed the diagnostic accuracy was 95.2% for observer 1 and 97.6% for observer 2. With the combination of ICA displacement direction and involvement of the jugular foramen, the diagnostic accuracy was 97.6% for both observers.Conclusion: MRI features can effectively differentiate VPs from CBTs in the parapharyngeal space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyphosphoinositides (PPIns) are a family of seven lipid messengers that regulate a vast array of signalling pathways to control cell proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation. PPIns are differentially present in various sub-cellular compartments and, through the recruitment and regulation of specific proteins, are key regulators of compartment identity and function. Phosphoinositides and the enzymes that synthesise and degrade them are also present in the nuclear membrane and in nuclear membraneless compartments such as nuclear speckles. Here we discuss how PPIns in the nucleus are modulated in response to external cues and how they function to control downstream signalling. Finally we suggest a role for nuclear PPIns in liquid phase separations that are involved in the formation of membraneless compartments within the nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]