Clinical Use of Tailored Computed Tomography to Prevent Poststernotomy Dehiscence

Background Morphological and tissue density analysis of the sternum can be performed in the preoperative computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to analyze morphology and tissue density of sternum in CT and effect for comparison sternal instability. Methods Patients with sternal instability (n = 61) and sternal stability (n = 66) were enrolled in this study. All of the patients were studied using same thorax CT procedure. All the measurements were performed by one specific cardiovascular radiologist. The Hounsfield units (HUs) were measured in axial sections of the sternum trabecular bone. Results Sternal instability group mean HU was 75.36 ± 13.19 and sternal stability group HU was 90.24 ± 12.16 (p < 0.000). HU is the statically significant predictor of sternal instability. Conclusion Our study showed a significant correlation between the mean HU value of sternum and sternal instability. We think that it is important to evaluate the existing thorax CT while performing preoperative risk analysis for sternal dehiscence.

Shift from Acquisitive to Conservative Root Resource Acquisition Strategy Associated with Increasing Tree Age: A Case Study of Fraxinus mandshurica

Tree age has an important effect on the form and function of fine roots. Previous studies have focused on the variations in root morphological and chemical traits among tree ages, while less attention has been given to the physiological traits, impeding a full understanding of the relationship between root resource acquisition strategy and tree age. Here, we measured root morphological (diameter, specific root length, specific root area and tissue density), chemical (nitrogen concentration) and physiological (respiration and exudation rate) traits of young, middle-aged and mature trees of Fraxinus mandshurica in a temperate secondary forest in northeastern China. Our overall aim was to determine how root traits and related resource acquisition strategy change with tree age. The results showed that from young to mature trees, root diameter gradually increased, but specific root length, specific root area, root nitrogen concentration, respiration and exudation rates all decreased, and the significant differences were mainly found between young and mature trees. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that the relationships of root respiration and exudation rates to root morphological and chemical traits depended on tree age and the specific traits examined, but these correlations were all significant except for root tissue density when the data were pooled across all tree age classes. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the conservative traits represented by root diameter, and the acquisitive traits such as root respiration and exudation rates and related morphological and chemical traits, occupied two ends of the first axis, respectively, while root tissue density occupied one end of the second axis, partially confirming the conceptual framework of “root economics space”. Standardized major axis (SMA) analysis of root exudation and respiration rates showed that young trees allocated more root carbon flux to the formation of root exudation, compared to middle-aged and mature trees. Our findings suggest that root resource acquisition strategy in F. mandshurica appears to shift from an absorptive to conservative strategy associated with increasing tree age, which may have substantial consequences for individual growth and interspecific competition, as well as belowground carbon allocation in ecosystems.

Root Structure and Function of Grapevine Rootstocks (Vitis) in Response io Salinity

Purpose Accessing freshwater resources becomes more complex in arid and semi-arid areas due to increased demands and declining water quality. Alternative water sources for agriculture such as saline and recycled water are currently being used. A better understanding of roots' response to irrigation with saline water is crucial for future agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas. Methods Three grapevine (Vitis) rootstocks were examined, and their roots' responses to salinity were studied. The rootstocks were planted in pots filled with sand and were grown in a commercial net house subjected to two salinity treatments: 10 mM and 30 mM NaCl (EC = 2 and 4 ds m-1, respectively). We measured root morphologic and anatomic properties at the end of the experiment. Results The specific root area increased in response to salinity due to reduced root tissue density. In addition, a reduction in the average root diameter also affected the specific root area by increasing the surface area to volume ratio. Plant biomass was allocated primarily to the shoot in all three rootstocks, reducing the root to shoot ratio. At the same time, the bottom part of the root zone was more affected by salinity. SO4 showed improved chloride and sodium exclusion, concomitant with a significant increase in its narrow roots' contribution to the surface area. Conclusion Narrow roots play a more prominent role in the acquisition of water and nutrients as salinity increases. Furthermore, a decrease in root tissue density and average diameter may contribute to salt exclusion from the roots.

Pericoronary and periaortic adipose tissue density are associated with inflammatory disease activity in Takayasu arteritis and atherosclerosis

Aims To examine pericoronary (PCAT) and periaortic (PAAT) adipose tissue density on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for assessing arterial inflammation in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and atherosclerosis. Methods and results PCAT and PAAT density was measured in coronary (n = 1016) and aortic (n = 108) segments from 108 subjects (TAK+coronary artery disease (CAD), n = 36; TAK, n = 18; atherosclerotic CAD, n = 32; matched controls, n = 22). Median PCAT and PAAT densities varied between groups (mPCAT: p &lt; 0.0001; PAAT: p = 0.0002). PCAT density was 7.01 ± SEM 1.78 Hounsfield Unit (HU) higher in coronary segments from TAK+CAD patients than stable CAD patients (p = 0.0002), and 8.20 ± SEM 2.04 HU higher in TAK patients without CAD than controls (p = 0.0001). mPCAT density was correlated with Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (r = 0.43, p = 0.001) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.41, p &lt; 0.0001), and was higher in active versus inactive TAK (p = 0.002). mPCAT density above -74 HU had 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity for differentiating active TAK from controls (AUC=0.99 [95% CI 0.97-1]). The association of PCAT density and coronary arterial inflammation measured by 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography equated to an increase of 2.44 ± SEM 0.77 HU in PCAT density for each unit increase in 68Ga-DOTATATE maximum tissue-to-blood ratio (p = 0.002). These findings remained in multivariable sensitivity analyses adjusted for potential confounders. Conclusions PCAT and PAAT density are higher in TAK than atherosclerotic CAD or controls, and are associated with clinical, biochemical and PET markers of inflammation. Owing to excellent diagnostic accuracy, PCAT density could be useful as a clinical adjunct for assessing disease activity in TAK.

Patient/Breast-Specific Detection of Breast Tumor Based on Patients’ Thermograms, 3D Breast Scans, and Reverse Thermal Modelling

Background: Mammography is the preferred method for the diagnosis of breast cancer. However, this diagnostic technique fails to detect tumors of small sizes, and it does not work well for younger patients with high breast tissue density. Methods: This paper proposes a novel tool for the early detection of breast cancer, which is patient-specific, non-invasive, inexpensive, and has potential in terms of accuracy compared with existing techniques. The main principle of this method is based on the use of temperature contours from breast skin surfaces through thermography, and inverse thermal modeling based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based optimization tool to estimate the depths and sizes of tumors as well as patient/breast-specific tissue properties. Results: The study was conducted by using a 3D geometry of patients’ breasts and their temperature contours, which were clinically collected using a 3D scanner and a thermal imaging infrared (IR) camera. Conclusion: The results showed that the combination of 3D breast geometries, thermal images, and inverse thermal modeling is capable of estimating patient/breast-specific breast tissue and physiological properties such as gland and fat contents, tissue density, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and blood perfusion rate, based on a multilayer model consisting of gland and fat. Moreover, this tool was able to calculate the depth and size of the tumor, which was validated by the doctor’s diagnosis.

The factors that affecting shockwave lithotripsy treatment outcome of kidney stones

Bacground: We aimed to analyze combination of the schockwave lithotripy (SWL) success predictors. Methods: In this retrospective study, the outcomes of the patients with kidney stones treated with SWL were analyzed. Adult patients (≥18 years) with complete records with non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), stone analysis, laboratory data were involved in the study. Patients who were with urinary system anomalies, who were receiving alpha-blocker and/or calcium channel blockers and whom with impaired kidney function were excluded. The effect of stone density, skin-to-stone distance (SSD), perirenal tissue density (PTD), subcutaneous tissue density (STD), stone size, stone burden, stone localization, infundibulopelvic angle (IA), as well as body mass index (BMI) and stone analysis results on the success of the treatment was evaluated. Results: SSD, PTD, STD, stone localization, IA, as well as body-mass index, did not have any association with SWL success. Stone size and stone burden had a significant association with treatment success (p = 0.0001), and the cut-off values determined for stone size and stone burden were 12.95 mm (p = 0.0006) and 121.38 mm2 (p = 0.004) respectively. Stone density also had a significant association with treatment success (p = 0.0001), and the cut-off value determined for stone density was 739 HU (Hounsfield Unit) (p = 0.001). Treatment success was significantly lower in cystine and calcium oxalate monohydrate stones compared to other stone types (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Significant markers that determine SWL effectiveness are stone size, stone burden, stone density and, besides, stone type.

Correlation of Plasma Amino Acid and Anthropometric Profiles with Brown Adipose Tissue Density in Humans

This study examined the relationship between plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations, including branched-chain AAs, and brown adipose tissue density (BAT-d). One hundred and seventy-three subjects (69 men, 104 women) aged 22–68 years were recruited during the winter season. AAs were comprehensively quantified using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. The total hemoglobin concentration in the supraclavicular region ([total-Hb]sup), an indicator of BAT-d, was assessed using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Anthropometric parameters, including age, percentage of body fat, and visceral fat, were evaluated. Factors associated with higher (≥74 µM) or lower (<74 µM) [total-Hb]sup were investigated by multiple logistic regression models that included AA concentrations alone (model 1) or AA concentrations and anthropometric parameters (model 2) as independent variables. When adjusted for the false discovery rate, [total-Hb]sup was positively correlated with glycine and asparagine levels in men and with the serine level in both men and women and was negatively correlated with the branched-chain AA concentration in men. Models 1 and 2 correlated with higher or lower BAT-d for men (r = 0.73, p = 0.015) and women (r = 0.58, p = 0.079) and for men (r = 0.82, p = 0.0070) and women (r = 0.70, p = 0.020), respectively. A combination of anthropometric parameters and plasma AA concentrations could be a reliable biomarker for higher and lower BAT-d.

Root Porosity Contributes to Root Trait Space of Wetland Monocotyledons Independently of Economics Traits.

Aims Root aerenchyma, a key adaptive trait to anoxic soils has rarely been integrated into trait-based plant ecology. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between root porosity and root economics-related traits among wetland plants, focusing on the effect of aerenchyma on root tissue density, a central trait in plant economics spectrum.Methods Root porosity, root tissue density with air-space included or excluded (RTD and RTDA), and other root economics-related traits were measured separately for basal and lateral roots of 16 garden-grown Ontario wetland monocots with contrasting root longevities.Results Interspecific variation in root porosity was unrelated to root economics traits and did not differ between species with long-lived or short-lived roots. Consequently, RTDA better differentiated between species with contrasting root longevities than RTD did, consistently both for basal and lateral roots. Root dry matter content (RDMC) accurately predicted RTDA. A principal component analysis showed that in the root adaptive trait space of wetland plants, the first dimension is defined by economics-related traits, the second dimension by lateral root porosity and the ratio of lateral to basal root length, and the third dimension by basal root porosity.Conclusions Interspecific variation in the aerenchyma content is independent of root economics: Wetland plants can construct economically conservative or acquisitive roots of any porosity. Consequently, to consistently express root functional relationships among wetland plant species, root tissue density should be expressed with RTDA, i.e., excluding the air space, or with the more easily measured RDMC.