Ranking environmental degradation trends of plastic marine debris based on physical properties and molecular structure.

As plastic marine debris continues to accumulate in the oceans, many important questions surround this global dilemma. In particular, how many descriptors would be necessary to model the degradation behavior of ocean plastics or understand if degradation is possible? Here, we report a data-driven approach to elucidate degradation trends of plastic debris by linking abiotic and biotic degradation behavior in seawater with physical properties and molecular structures. The results reveal a hierarchy of predictors to quantify surface erosion as well as combinations of features, like glass transition temperature and hydrophobicity, to classify ocean plastics into fast, medium, and slow degradation categories. Furthermore, to account for weathering and environmental factors, two equations model the influence of seawater temperature and mechanical forces.

Bronchoalveolar lavage affects computed tomographic and radiographic characteristics of the lungs in healthy dogs.

Bronchoalveolar lavage is a common diagnostic test for dogs with suspected pulmonary disease, however there is no published information on whether this procedure could affect the imaging characteristics of the lungs. Aims of this prospective experimental study were to describe computed tomography (CT) and radiographic features of the lungs after bronchoalveolar lavage in a sample of healthy dogs. Thoracic CT and radiographic images of eight healthy Beagles were acquired at the following time points: before bronchoalveolar lavage, immediately following bronchoalveolar lavage, and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h following bronchoalveolar lavage. Lung consolidation or interstitial patterns were seen in CT and radiographic images immediately after the procedure. Radiographic lung patterns resolved within 2 h and CT patterns resolved within 24 h. Resolution of the CT pulmonary patterns in the ventral areas of the lungs was delayed compared to the dorsal areas. Mean CT imaging scores differed over time (P < 0.001), while mean radiographic imaging scores did not differ over time. This study suggests that thoracic radiography and CT imaging assessments should precede bronchoalveolar lavage procedures if possible, or be performed at least 24 h afterward.

Infundibular dilation and aneurysm at the origin of the posterior communicating artery: differential diagnosis by CT angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Infundibular dilation (ID) and aneurysm at the internal carotid artery (ICA)-posterior communicating artery (PComA) junction can be difficult to distinguish but may differ in clinical significance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT angiography (CTA) in differentially diagnosing IDs and small unruptured aneurysms at the ICA-PComA junction. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 88 patients diagnosed with 107 protrusions (70 IDs and 37 aneurysms <5 mm; 19 bilateral lesions) at the ICA-PComA junction who underwent both CTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed CTA and DSA images according to these criteria: (a) size (maximum dimension <3 or ≥3 mm), (b) shape (triangular or round/oval/irregular), (c) aneurysmal neck (absent or present), (d) horizontal direction (posteriomedial or posteriolateral), and (e) PComA origin (apex, no PComA, or base). The intermodality (between CTA and DSA) and interobserver (between the two readers) agreement were determined for each finding. We also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of CTA for distinguishing ID and aneurysm, using DSA as the reference standard. RESULTS: The mean κ values of intermodality agreement for the size, shape, aneurysmal neck, horizontal direction, and PComA origin were 0.88, 0.87, 0.84, 0.71, and 0.56, respectively. All interobserver agreements of CTA and DSA were excellent. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTA for differentiating aneurysms from IDs were 94.6, 100, and 98.0 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: CTA may be a useful noninvasive modality for differential diagnosis of ID and aneurysm at the ICA-PComA junction.